Hibernation and Awakening

Many animals hibernate during the cold winter months. In preparation the animal eats for a healthy storage of fat. Next, they need a place to hibernate – a cave, hollow tree trunk, or a tunnel into the snow. Hibernation is not a long nap but the undergoing of physiological changes—body temperature drops while heartbeat and breathing slows.

The past two years with the pandemic have seemed like a hibernation of sorts with limited access to services, social isolation, shut down of church services; daily routines were often limited to our own homes. Unfortunately, we were not able to hibernate through the pandemic or lose stored fat but instead gained.

Our faith too can become dormant and stale. We fall asleep in our study of God’s Word, attendance at worship services, serving our neighbour, community and world.

Most animals stop hibernating during spring because the days are getting longer, temperatures are warmer, and food is readily available. The animals, once their metabolism adjusts, are thirsty and starving for food.

Jesus, when He went to Gethsemane to pray asked His disciples, Peter, James, and John, to remain with Him and watch. Jesus prayed in great distress knowing what laid ahead for Him. He returned three times, only to find His disciples sleeping. He asked Peter, “Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mark 14:38). When Jesus found them sleeping again, their eves were heavy, and they did not know what to answer Him.

Are we not like those first disciples? We try to be supportive and energetic in our service to others, but our sinful flesh is weak. Like the disciples, we do not have an excuse for our failure to watch and pray. We take comfort that Jesus went to the cross for our spiritual sleepiness.

As we return to some normalcy in our daily lives may we awaken from our spiritual sleepiness with a thirst and hunger to search God’s Word, pray for His guidance and watch for opportunities to support and encourage each other in our service to others.

Annette Borchardt, VP Member Development