Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory. 1 Peter 1:8
The ceremony was simple, solemn, and powerful. The Star Spangle Banner, played by a lone saxophone, pierced the quiet morning as the flag was raised to full staff, and as the flag was lowered to half-staff, Taps brought visible flowing tears from all of us. The flag was not just any American flag. This flag has flown over all three 9-11 memorial sites, and every day of the year except on 9-11, it is securely encased and displayed in the clubhouse of our new community. Many of our neighbors are retired police officers, firefighters, first responders, and military. The flag was carried and posted by retired New York City Firefighters and First Responders who ran toward the burning towers on that fateful day. The ceremony concluded with a NYC firefighter employing us to “never forget.”
Sometimes, I think we do forget. We go about our lives and unconsciously forget the price paid every day for the freedom we enjoy in this country. I think the same can be said of our salvation. I learned a new term this week; at least, it was new to me. Jared C. Wilson states gospel wakefulness means “treasuring Christ more greatly and savoring his power more sweetly than before.” He maintains that while it can be simultaneous with conversion or subsequent to conversion, for most Christians, it is a gradual process. But in all cases, gospel wakefulness is the sanctifying work of the Spirit. He describes his gospel wakefulness journey as coming to a place where “even though I am still subject to the ebb and flow of external circumstances, I am confident in Christ, at peace in Christ, worshipful in Christ, all in radically different ways than I was before gospel wakefulness. It is a lasting, enduring change, because it was not brought about by a dramatic worship service or some other temporary emotional impact but by my coming to the very end of myself and all hope and finding the saving arms of Christ, the only unmovable object.” Gospel wakefulness is not to be confused with salvation; it’s a deeper discernment, affection for, and consciousness of the cost of redemption. The supernatural cognizance, the “inexpressible joy” of the absolute gift for an undeserving soul then permeates our daily lives.
We have been commissioned to share the gospel and are urged to pray for a revival in this country. But I maintain that gospel wakefulness must be present to do either. We must yearn to be mindful of Christ’s sacrifice for our salvation daily. It’s more about the yearning than even the gospel wakefulness. With the hunger comes the wakefulness. “As a deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God” (Psalm 42:1). When our souls are awakened, stirred, and reminded, we must share. It is a natural occurrence of the overflow of joy.
Wilson’s book states that “the quantum leap of gospel wakefulness occurs in the midst of profound brokenness.” 9-11 profoundly broke many lives. Those who were there and those who lost family members will never forget that day. It will never be just another Monday for them. We must never forget that Christ died for us, He saved us, He set us free. As a son or daughter of the Most High God, it will never be just another Monday for us, either. Our lives are changed forever, and we must never forget. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.