Missing the Lion

“It’s time to wake up!” 

I was around fifteen years old, living in Africa with my missionary parents. My dad wanted to get up early (on vacation, mind you) to go to a game preserve and see the animals in the wild before the heat of the sun chased them to their hiding places. 

One eye opened and peeked at the time...4:30 AM. The eye closed again. A hand shook me this time, “Hey, do you want to go with us?” 

No, not really. I was exhausted (in a good way) from swimming all afternoon the day before. Who wants to sit in the back of an old Land Rover straining to see animals that don’t want to be found? There was a pool at our hotel and I had money for ice cream...and did I mention we were on vacation?! I fell back asleep. 

My dad tried one more time, “You might miss the lions!” Ah, lions! The pinnacle of the excursion to an African game preserve. Much easier to spy kudu, elephants and giraffes than the elusive big cat. “No, I’m staying here.” 

The choice to sleep in was costly that day. My dad came back beaming. A pride of lions had eaten the night before and were lounging less than twenty yards from the road! I went several more times to the game park, but never got to see a lion in the wild. 

Jesus once asked his followers, “Why are you sleeping?” It makes me think about the time I missed the lions. It makes me think of other opportunities that I’ve missed because I’ve been “asleep.” I’ve been asleep because I’ve been focused on the wrong thing, or I’ve “spaced out” and missed the opportunity to be present in this moment. 

I hope you take time every day to wake up to Jesus and His call. Don’t miss the opportunities to serve others and to follow Him that He places before you! Open your eyes, get out of bed, and wait in eager expectation. Don’t sleep on the opportunity to daily spend time with Jesus. Don’t miss an opportunity to see the Lion!