Eyes Wide Open: August 10, 2025
A Call to Awareness: Be Alert, Be Prayerful
In his recent sermon, Pastor Michael challenged us to live with our "eyes wide open," drawing a powerful parallel between his experiences as a teenage missionary and the teachings of Jesus in Luke 21. He shared how, as a "security" team member on mission trips, his job was to be attentive—to both external threats and internal issues—and to be aware of opportunities to love people.
This idea of active awareness, he explained, is a timeless principle straight from the words of Jesus. Looking at Luke 21:20-36, we see Jesus instructing his disciples to "recognize" and "be on guard" for the signs of the times. For the original audience, this meant paying attention to the coming destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.—a warning they heeded, saving them from the devastation.
Pastor Michael emphasized that while our external threats today might not be literal armies, we face a constant barrage of distractions. He cited a "war of distraction," fueled by smartphones, social media, and the constant need for instant gratification. These things can "dull our minds" and keep us from being prepared and attentive to what truly matters.
He then highlighted the internal threat of fear and distress. Jesus's antidote to this internal chaos wasn't to ignore it, but to "stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near." This call to hope is crucial. When faced with turmoil, both big and small, our focus should be on Jesus.
The sermon concluded with a powerful call to action: Be sober-minded so you can pray well. Jesus himself, even during his most hectic days, would retreat to the Mount of Olives to pray. This wasn't a sign of weakness, but a model of strength. When we see chaos, distress, or opportunity, our first response should be to pray for the strength to act according to God's will.
Pastor Michael's message is a reminder to all of us to be alert—to pay attention to the world around us, to guard our hearts from distraction and fear, and to lean on prayer as our ultimate source of strength and guidance. We are called to be prepared, not just for what's to come, but for the opportunities to love and serve that are right in front of us.
