Spiritual Awakening: Recognizing God's Glory in Our Lives
In our daily lives, we often move through the world half-asleep spiritually. Like the disciples on Mount Tabor who were "heavy with sleep," we miss the divine glory surrounding us. The transfiguration reminds us that God's presence is constant, but our awareness of it fluctuates. The glory was always there, but the disciples couldn't recognize it until they were fully awake.
What Does It Mean to Be Spiritually Awake?
Spiritual awakening is both mystical and practical. According to Proverbs, it means "to know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding." It involves receiving instruction in wise dealing, righteousness, justice, and equity.
The foundation of spiritual awakening is found in Proverbs 1:7: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction." This holy fear isn't terror but reverence—a profound awareness of God's presence that transforms how we see the world.
How Can We Recognize When We're Spiritually Asleep?
Those who are spiritually asleep lack holy fear and awareness of God's presence. They may:
- Walk through life without noticing divine glory in creation
- Miss God's presence in their brothers and sisters
- Stumble through life as if in darkness despite the light all around
- Focus on worldly concerns rather than eternal truths
- Offer lip service rather than heartfelt obedience
How Does Prayer Connect to Spiritual Awakening?
On Mount Tabor, Christ's transfiguration occurred while He was praying: "As he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered." Prayer serves as the gateway to spiritual awakening, opening our eyes to behold God's glory.
The Psalmist understood this connection, pleading: "Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes... Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law." These prayers reflect a longing for spiritual awakening—for eyes to see and a heart to understand God's ways.
What Are the Fruits of Spiritual Awakening?
Jesus teaches us that "ye shall know them by their fruits." True spiritual awakening manifests in outward evidence:
- Wisdom in action: Living according to God's instruction
- Love for God's law: Not legalism, but delight in God's guidance
- Spiritual discernment: Distinguishing between authentic and counterfeit spirituality
- Spirit-led living: Being led by the Spirit as children of God
- Mission and service: Coming down from the mountain to serve a suffering world
As Jesus said, "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father." Spiritual awakening leads to obedience, not mere words.
How Does Suffering Connect to Spiritual Awakening?
The transfiguration reveals a profound truth: even in Christ's moment of glory, the conversation turned to His coming sacrifice. Spiritual awakening always leads us to the cross. To be truly awake is to behold both Christ's glory and His sacrifice.
The Psalmist understood this: "It is good for me that I have been in trouble, that I may learn thy statutes." Spiritual awakening often comes through suffering. In our darkest valleys, we may see most clearly the light of God's presence.
What Does a Spiritually Awake Life Look Like?
A spiritually awake person:
Heeds wisdom's instruction: Proverbs describes wisdom as "an ornament of grace and chains about thy neck"—there's beauty in a life lived wisely.
Loves God's law: The Psalmist declares, "Oh, how I love thy law. It is my meditation all the day." God's commandments are loving guardrails keeping us on the path of life.
Exercises discernment: The awakened soul can distinguish between authentic and counterfeit spirituality, grounded in God's word.
Lives by the Spirit: As Paul writes, "As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." We relate to God not as a distant deity but as a beloved Father.
Engages in mission: After the transfiguration, Jesus and His disciples descended the mountain to serve. Glory always leads to service.
How Does Tradition Support Spiritual Awakening?
Proverbs instructs us to "hear thy Father's instruction and forsake not thy Mother's teaching." Spiritual awakening doesn't mean abandoning tradition but receiving wisdom passed through generations.
The sacred still speaks through ancient liturgy, theological heritage, and Scripture. The God who transfigured before Peter, James, and John is "the same yesterday, today, and forever." The wisdom Solomon extolled continues to guide us, and the law the Psalmist loved continues to direct our paths.
Life Application
Christ calls us to awaken—to behold His glory, be transformed by His presence, and bear lasting fruit. Like the disciples, we're often "heavy with sleep," burdened by anxieties, distracted by worldly concerns, and numbed by routine. Yet God's glory surrounds us, waiting to be recognized.
This week, practice spiritual wakefulness through these steps:
- Begin each day asking God to open your spiritual eyes to His presence
- Look for God's glory in creation, in others, and in Scripture
- Spend time in prayer, the gateway to spiritual awakening
- Examine your life for the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control
Ask yourself:
- Where have I been spiritually asleep in my life?
- What distractions keep me from recognizing God's glory around me?
- How can I translate spiritual insights into faithful action this week?
- Am I bearing good fruit that demonstrates my spiritual awakening?
May our lives become living testimonies that we have been awake to glory, bearing the fruit of the Spirit in all we do.