I’ve never really needed an alarm clock. I still use one for important things, just in case. But typically, if I need to get up at 6 am, I can somehow wake up right before that and turn my alarm off before it has a chance to make that awful sound.

It seems hard to believe, even to me. But I’ve realized over time, it’s not quite as special as it sounds. I’m a light sleeper. And what actually happens when I set an alarm is that I don’t sleep well. If I set an alarm for 6 am, I wake up around 4 am and check the clock. Then I wake again around 5 am and 5:14 and 5:37 and 5:46 and 5:49 when I finally decide to get up and turn off the alarm.

Not really a special talent for waking up prior to my alarm as much as a propensity for poor sleep when I’m anticipating an important event.

“Watch! Be alert! For you don’t know when the time is coming.” (Mark‬ ‭13‬:‭33,‬ ‭CSB)‬‬

Jesus is coming again. This will be the most important event in all of history. But we don’t know when it will happen. He warns His followers to stay alert for the signs and be ready.

Being constantly on the alert sounds awful — like my bad sleep before my alarm goes off. But unlike my physical need for rest and rejuvenation by sleeping, my spirit does not need sleep. I get the rest and rejuvenation I need spiritually by staying in constant communication with God.

Here, Jesus is warning me never to fall asleep spiritually. Never lose touch with Him. Never let days, weeks, or months go by without listening to, talking with, and spending time learning about God. If I let my connection with God lapse, I will be caught off guard when Jesus returns. And that’s worse than being jolted awake by the alarm I snoozed a few times, realizing I may be too late to catch my flight.

Dear God, thank you for filling me up with your love, grace, and peace when I take time to commune with you. Remind me to stay vigilant in that practice. Thank you for the reminder of its importance as I await your glorious return.