ROGERS — The main thrust of my thinking for this visit is from Ephesians 5:14, "Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light."

The message is a call to action for and from people that have fallen asleep among the dead. Wow!

I can't imagine going to sleep in a morgue or in a cemetery, but evidently it can be done, at least from an allegorical sense. Although I have been tired enough after cutting grass for two or three hours to sit down under a tree and nod off. It is quiet there and not much disturbance from the residents. I believe that therein lies the problem of the matter, apathy and complacency. The Apostle Paul is writing to the church members of Ephesus and tells them to wake up. When someone is sound asleep it is hard to tell the difference between them and a dead person.

The thing that identifies life is response. A dead person can not respond regardless of the means or volume of the call. Then again, it takes more for some sleepers than others to arouse them. I am sure, from the context, that this call is not one for the new birth as light is what awaits the response and not life. It is a call to service and action from the living.

I work another job that requires me to respond at all hours of the day and night. I must confess that the call is never pleasant at two in the morning, especially after a hard day. Yet, when the pager goes off Iam stirred and groping for light. I need to be able to see to dress and be on my way. I need light to be able to prepare and most of all to answer. The call goes out and a response is expected.

I must not forget the others that are waiting on my answer to respond as well.

Then there are those that called that need to know someone heard. My first order of business is to find the radio and respond to the call according to the call.

It wouldn't help much if I answered and then went to another location or did not bring the right supplies.

I will say that there are times that I know from the information given that there is not much I can do. My presence as a support and help is mainly the general result. Yet, I know what I say will give knowledge to others and help them head the right direction.

Just to know that there has been an answer gives them confidence and courage to go themselves. It is so easy to think that you are alone, but you really never are. Sometimes the greatest resistance comes from those on the other side of the room that don't want the light on or the sound of the call. I would rather go back to sleep myself, but what gets me up in the middle ofthe night is the commitment that I have made to answer and the decision I have made to help others. You think this might apply to a church?

These children of God had made such promises by virtue of being in the church at Ephesus. The call, a gospel one I believe, has gone out to people who were once darkness, not in the dark.

To those that have been raised from sin and trespass to life in Christ. To people already born of the Spirit of God the call goes out. The need of others is all around and perhaps there are others waiting to see if you are going to move. There are those calling to you to come along and help. Have you heard the call? Have you answered? What are you waiting on? Christ has promised to give the light to those that rise to the call. Never doubt the need and never doubt the call. You can answer if you have heard. You are qualified and experienced in the circumstances that plague others. You came from the same places and situations.

You know the answer and where help comes.

He heard when you called, aren't you glad? Answer the call in your community, in your church, in your home, your marriage, as parents, as children, on the job and do it daily. Look around, there's the need.

What's that sound? You're being paged! ANSWER!

Amen.

Carl Staten can be reached by calling 246-9858 or by e-mail at lfpbc@juno.com

In the Spirit, Pages 5 on 09/16/2009

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