Sleepy?

I am writing this blog post from Northern Minnesota, sitting directly under a cell tower. Oh, what incredible reception!! After spending most of yesterday driving, I was really looking forward to some quiet time writing in a nice hotel room in the Duluth / Superior area last night. Never happened.

Apparently, unbeknownst to this weary traveler, a rather large marathon is being run in the area today. All of the hotel rooms were booked. And I DO mean all!! I spent hours driving around Duluth and points north, looking for a hotel room. Nada. Zip. Zilch.

After talking to the nice lady at the last place I checked, I was told I was the 17th person to stop in that night, searching for a room after all had been taken. On my way out the door, the 18th person to be denied walk in. It was a long night for lots of folks. I spent the remainder of last night in the hotel packing lot - TRYING to sleep in my little Focus.

Have you ever been really looking forward to something only to have things go terribly wrong. Like nothing was working out no matter what you did? Did you ever wonder if that was from God? Or from Satan? I did last night.

I found myself examining what I was doing . . . at 2:00AM . . . and came up with a few thoughts I thought I'd pass along.

1. Comfort. Being away from all the comforts of home really makes me appreciate them (although this cell tower location is amazing!). Being comfortable is good, except when we are talking about our faith. Comfort in one's walk with Jesus indicates complacency, in my opinion. Don't get "comfortable" with God. Allow yourself to be pushed and stretched by Him.
2. Love. When I was driving around last night, searching for a place to stay, my wife and a young friend were my constant companions. I am grateful for their concern and their love. Again, going through tough times really make our true, caring friends stand out. God has blessed me with some great friends.
3. Appreciation. This is closely related to the first two but this one is directed towards God. We truly can never appreciate all the things God has done for us, Provisions, sometimes appearing out of nowhere, remind us of just Who is in control and how much we are truly loved.

As we sleep-walk through this life, I pray that each of us would be awoken in our walk with Jesus. Let us never be too weary to thank our Savior and Lord for what He is about to provide.

"36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.” - Matthew 26:36-46

Don't let yourself be found sleeping when God has commanded you to do something.