Matt Clarke's Morning Messages

Walking into a Pole

Written by Matt Clarke | October 16, 2025

I was totally judgmental at first. How could they have fallen asleep? It was perhaps one of the most remarkable events in history, and they are sleeping through it!

Then, I remembered the countless football games, epic movies, and shamefully, personal conversations that I’ve dozed off to at just the wrong time. I guess I would make a pretty good disciple.

"Suddenly, two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared and began talking with Jesus. They were glorious to see. And they were speaking about his exodus from this world, which was about to be fulfilled in Jerusalem. Peter and the others had fallen asleep." (Luke 9:30-32)

 

It's sad to think about how often we get so engrossed in our own needs that we are completely asleep to the incredible things going on around us. We get so stuck in our own narrow, myopic world that we don't see the people, the needs, or the majesty of creation all around us.  

Literally, this week I was outside on a beautiful, sunny, early autumn day and came within two inches of walking straight into a pole because I was captivated by the 2.5" x 6.5" screen of my iPhone. Asleep at the wheel of my own life.  

Wake up, stay alert, and look around.

Look beyond your own short-term physical needs and pay attention to your surroundings. You may see people you have never seen before, new opportunities to solve problems you didn't notice, or God's beauty in a way that transforms you.  

It's funny the things I see when keeping my eyes on Jesus and the amazing things I miss when I lose focus and fall asleep.