Stay Awake, Be Alert

Scripture says, 'Don't sleep, stay awake, be alert. How
do I stay awake and alert? At this moment the rooster is
crowing. It reminds me of how he is always between us
and the hens. He is very alert when Glen goes into his
area at night to close them in. The rooster eyes him with
suspicion. He is alert to what is going on in his territory,
and well he should be, for he has many enemies.

Another picture comes to my mind. A new Mom goes to
sleep but is awake the instant the baby cries. Even if she
is deeply asleep with many things going on around her,
she is alert to the sounds her baby makes. As the months
go by she can recognize the different sounds he makes
and sleeps through those that are normal, but the cry of
pain will always open her eyes as she lands on her feet.

I think this is what God means when He tells us to stay
awake and be alert:

'But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, 
not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only 
the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not 
know when the time will come. It is like a man going 
on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his 
servants in charge, each with his work, and commands 
the door-keeper to stay awake--for you do not know 
when the master of the house will come, in the evening, 
or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the 
morning--lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 
And what I say to you I say to all: 
Stay awake.' 
(Mark 13:32-37)

Reader, the emphasis is on the unknown! So, since we
do not know exactly when our Lord is coming, we are
to remain alert, awake, and keep doing the things He has
told us to do.
Really, it is so simple!