Awakening to the Present: Embracing Spiritual Life

 

Summary

In today's reflection, the focus is on the profound call to "wake up" and live fully in the present moment. This call is not just about being mindful of the present but is deeply rooted in a spiritual awakening that aligns with the teachings of the Apostle Paul, who urges us to rise from spiritual slumber and embrace the light of Christ. The narrative begins with a personal anecdote about Neil Warren, a psychologist who would remind himself to wake up and be present each day. This serves as a metaphor for the spiritual awakening we are called to experience.

The discussion draws from C.S. Lewis's "The Screwtape Letters," where the devilish character Screwtape advises on the dangers of living in the past or future, rather than the present. The present moment is where time touches eternity, offering us a unique opportunity to experience God. Eternal life, as defined in John 17:3, is not about endless time but about a quality of life that involves an interactive relationship with God, which can only be experienced in the present.

The reflection encourages us to engage with the present by obeying the voice of conscience, accepting our crosses, receiving grace with joy, and expressing gratitude. These actions root us in the present and paradoxically connect us to eternity. The future, often filled with anxiety and uncertainty, is contrasted with the present, which is illuminated by eternal rays. The call to wake up is a call to resurrection, to live in the now, and to trust God with the unknowns of tomorrow.

Key Takeaways:

- Spiritual Awakening: The call to "wake up" is a spiritual awakening that invites us to rise from our spiritual slumber and embrace the light of Christ. This awakening is not just about being present but involves a resurrection of our spiritual lives, allowing us to experience the fullness of God's presence. [01:42]

- Present Moment and Eternity: The present moment is where time touches eternity, offering us a unique opportunity to experience God. Eternal life is not about endless time but about a quality of life that involves an interactive relationship with God, which can only be experienced in the present. [03:30]

- Engaging with the Present: We are encouraged to engage with the present by obeying the voice of conscience, accepting our crosses, receiving grace with joy, and expressing gratitude. These actions root us in the present and connect us to eternity. [05:24]

- Dangers of Living in the Future: The future, often filled with anxiety and uncertainty, is contrasted with the present, which is illuminated by eternal rays. Living in the future can lead to fear and unrealities, while the present offers a space for divine encounter. [08:25]

- Trusting God with Tomorrow: The call to wake up is a call to trust God with the unknowns of tomorrow. We are invited to live in the now, knowing that God is present and that we can find Him only in the present moment, not in the future. [10:01]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:29] - Introduction to Wake Up
- [00:53] - Neil Warren's Morning Routine
- [01:17] - Encounter with a Skunk
- [01:42] - Apostle Paul's Call to Wake Up
- [02:08] - C.S. Lewis and Spiritual Awareness
- [03:17] - Present Moment and Eternity
- [04:12] - Definition of Eternal Life
- [05:10] - Engaging with the Present
- [06:25] - Receiving Grace with Joy
- [07:18] - C.S. Lewis on Living in the Past
- [08:11] - Dangers of Living in the Future
- [09:03] - Temporal vs. Eternal
- [09:35] - Trusting God with Tomorrow
- [10:01] - Call to Resurrection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Ephesians 5:14 - "Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
2. John 17:3 - "Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."

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Observation Questions:

1. What does the Apostle Paul mean when he says, "Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you"? How does this relate to the idea of spiritual awakening? [01:42]

2. In the sermon, how does Neil Warren's morning routine serve as a metaphor for spiritual awakening? [00:53]

3. According to the sermon, what are the dangers of living in the past or future, as discussed in C.S. Lewis's "The Screwtape Letters"? [02:08]

4. How does the sermon describe the present moment as a point where time touches eternity? [03:30]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of "eternal life" in John 17:3 differ from the common understanding of everlasting life? What does it mean to have an interactive relationship with God in the present? [04:12]

2. The sermon mentions the importance of obeying the voice of conscience and accepting our crosses. How might these actions help us engage with the present moment and connect with eternity? [05:24]

3. What are the potential consequences of focusing too much on the future, according to the sermon and C.S. Lewis's perspective? How does this affect our spiritual lives? [08:25]

4. In what ways does the sermon suggest we can trust God with the unknowns of tomorrow? How does this trust impact our ability to live fully in the present? [10:01]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your daily routine. Are there moments where you find yourself "sleepwalking" through the day? What practical steps can you take to "wake up" and be more present? [00:53]

2. Consider a time when you were preoccupied with the future. How did it affect your ability to experience God in the present? What changes can you make to focus more on the present moment? [08:25]

3. The sermon encourages expressing gratitude as a way to root ourselves in the present. What are three things you are grateful for today, and how can you make gratitude a daily practice? [06:25]

4. Identify a "cross" you are currently bearing. How can you accept it with grace and joy, as suggested in the sermon? What support do you need from your small group to help you in this process? [05:39]

5. How can you cultivate an interactive relationship with God in your daily life? What specific actions or practices can help you experience eternal life as described in John 17:3? [04:12]

6. Think of a situation where you need to trust God with the unknowns of tomorrow. How can you actively place this situation in God's hands and focus on living in the now? [10:01]

7. The sermon mentions the importance of obeying the voice of conscience. What is one area in your life where you feel called to take action or make a change? How can your small group support you in this? [05:24]

Devotional

Day 1: Awakening to the Light of Christ
The call to "wake up" is a profound spiritual awakening that invites individuals to rise from their spiritual slumber and embrace the light of Christ. This awakening is not merely about being present in the moment but involves a resurrection of one's spiritual life, allowing for the experience of the fullness of God's presence. The Apostle Paul urges believers to awaken from their spiritual sleep and to live in the light of Christ, which brings clarity, purpose, and a deeper connection to God. This awakening is a transformative process that requires intentionality and openness to the divine presence in everyday life. [01:42]

Ephesians 5:14-16 (ESV): "For anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, 'Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.' Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."

Reflection: What areas of your life feel spiritually dormant? How can you invite the light of Christ to awaken these areas today?


Day 2: Experiencing Eternity in the Present
The present moment is where time touches eternity, offering a unique opportunity to experience God. Eternal life is not about endless time but about a quality of life that involves an interactive relationship with God, which can only be experienced in the present. This understanding shifts the focus from a future-oriented mindset to one that values the present as a sacred space where divine encounters occur. By living fully in the present, individuals can experience the richness of eternal life here and now, deepening their relationship with God and finding peace in His presence. [03:30]

2 Corinthians 6:2 (ESV): "For he says, 'In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation."

Reflection: How can you cultivate an awareness of God's presence in your daily routine today, recognizing the present moment as a touchpoint with eternity?


Day 3: Engaging with the Present through Grace and Gratitude
Engaging with the present involves obeying the voice of conscience, accepting one's crosses, receiving grace with joy, and expressing gratitude. These actions root individuals in the present and connect them to eternity. By focusing on the present, believers can experience God's grace and joy, even amidst challenges. This engagement requires a conscious effort to listen to one's inner voice, embrace life's difficulties with faith, and maintain a heart of gratitude for the blessings received. Such practices not only ground individuals in the present but also open them to the transformative power of God's grace. [05:24]

Colossians 3:15-17 (ESV): "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

Reflection: What is one specific way you can express gratitude today, even in the midst of a challenging situation?


Day 4: The Perils of Future-Oriented Living
The future, often filled with anxiety and uncertainty, is contrasted with the present, which is illuminated by eternal rays. Living in the future can lead to fear and unrealities, while the present offers a space for divine encounter. By focusing too much on the future, individuals may miss the opportunities for growth and connection that the present moment provides. Embracing the present allows for a deeper trust in God's plan and a release from the anxieties that come with future uncertainties. This shift in focus encourages believers to find peace and assurance in God's presence today. [08:25]

Matthew 6:34 (ESV): "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

Reflection: What future concerns are causing you anxiety today? How can you release these worries to God and focus on His presence in the present moment?


Day 5: Trusting God with the Unknowns of Tomorrow
The call to wake up is a call to trust God with the unknowns of tomorrow. Believers are invited to live in the now, knowing that God is present and that He can only be found in the present moment, not in the future. This trust involves surrendering control and embracing the uncertainty of the future with faith in God's goodness and provision. By focusing on the present and trusting God with what lies ahead, individuals can experience peace and assurance, knowing that God holds the future in His hands. [10:01]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God with the future? How can you practice surrendering this area to Him today?

Quotes


Way more importantly the apostle paul says wake up o sleep arise from the dead for the light of christ shines on you and the idea of this is not simply live in the present moment although it is and we'll talk about that it is that what we need to experience is a kind of resurrection that my tendency to sleepwalk through the day to miss this present moment is not simply a psychological issue it is a kind of spiritual deadness in me that i cannot change on my own. [00:01:36]

The humans live in time but our enemy god destines them to eternity he therefore i believe wants them to attend chiefly to two things to eternity itself and to that point of time which they call the present for the present is the point at which time touches eternity as an extraordinary observation all of past we cannot access or the future we cannot access somehow in between them there is this moment and life happens here and the eternal is in the present. [00:03:07]

John 17 3 famously the only place in the bible that defines eternal life jesus is praying and he says may they have eternal life which is to know you the father an interactive participatory engagement with god that is eternal life everlasting life is quite different eternal life is not primarily about duration it's about quality it's to experience god and the only way i can do that is in this moment right here. [00:04:16]

He would have them continually concerned either with eternity which means being concerned with him or with the present either meditating on their eternal union with or separation from himself or else obeying the present voice of conscience bearing the present cross receiving the present grace giving thanks for the present pleasure and i thought this was quite an inspired list so to wake up to experience this day right now and all through this day you might think of each of these four items that lewis talks about. [00:04:46]

To obey the present voice of conscience what's the next right thing i can do what action can i take what obedience can i offer what love can i give what encouragement can i send along to obey the voice of conscience to accept the present cross there is suffering that comes to me there are things that i cannot fix and i can take that in a self-pitying way in a murderous way i can try to resist it i can try to deny it or i can surrender god your will be done. [00:05:26]

I can receive grace with joy or giving thanks for the pleasant for the present pleasure gratitude so each of these actions the opportunity of duty to do the right thing the opportunity to bear suffering with the right kind of spirit the opportunity to enjoy what it is in this moment what i'm eating or seeing or reading or hearing watching feeling and then the opportunity for gratitude god thank you thank you thank you it roots me in this present which paradoxically roots me into eternity because that's where eternity and the present intersect. [00:06:26]

Far better to make them live in the future biological necessity makes all their passions point in that direction so that thought about the future inflames hope and fear also it is unknown to them so that in making them think about it we make them think of unrealities in a word the future is of all things the thing least like eternity such a remarkable observation i would often think of them as quite connected with each other there's the future tomorrow and then the next day and then someday there will be eternity but actually no eternity is going on right now. [00:08:05]

The future is the most completely temporal part of time for the past is frozen no longer flows the present is all lit up with eternal rays hence the encouragement we have given to all those schemes of thought such as creative evolution scientific humanism secular communism or secular capitalism which fix men's affections on the future on the very core of temporality hence nearly all vices are rooted in the future what we are invited to instead is to live in now this moment wake up. [00:08:48]

What will happen in the future bad things oh yeah for sure i used to wish that i could know what the future held now i'm so grateful that i do not but i know that god is there and i know that i will not find him tomorrow today i can only find him right here right now and he is present and that his coldness of spirit sin anxiety the evil one that tempts me to leave here wake up wake up that is a call not just for attention but for resurrection oh god help me to wake up. [00:09:35]

As best i can i put tomorrow in your hands not knowing what will happen god help me to be awake to you today. [00:10:17]

He was talking one time about how easy it is to just drift through a moment an hour a day and neil said that sometimes when he would get in the shower in the morning he would get so urgent about wanting to experience each moment of the day to be fully present to be fully there he would just yell at himself this year wake up hey neil wake up and there was something very endearing about neil warren who was trained at the u of chicago under uh rajiri and carl rogers therapy of being very unconditionally accepting giving warm positive regard wake up wake up i don't want to miss today. [00:00:38]

I remember a long time ago talking with a friend mentor teacher entrepreneur neil warren he was a psychologist used to be the head of the school of psychology at fuller and was an author. [00:00:23]

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Transcript
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