Wake Me Up -

In 2004, Green Day released their album American Idiot. One of the tracks was called "Wake Me Up When September Ends." The song did really well in the charts, and was thought to address "a generation disillusioned by a period of tumultuous events" according to American Songwriter. But on an even more personal level, the song was written by the band's singer Billie Joe Armstrong to recall events around losing his father at an early age.

In September, we talked about the importance of memory in our life and faith. This song feels like the perfect transition into October, where our theme will focus on the invitation to not become complacent, to wake up, and to pay attention. Taking time to reflect on our memories helps us remember what matters most, what gives us joy and makes us laugh. But memories can also bring up old grief, deep bruises, and unresolved pain. Sometimes, like Armstrong, we may want to become numb to the circumstances we find ourselves in, and often with good reason. Personally I don't believe everything happens for a reason, and I certainly don't think everything makes logical sense.

As my memory rests

But never forgets what I lost

Wake me up when September ends

This month's question is - where do we need to wake up? Where should we be paying more attention? Maybe it is a relationship that needs tending, or a project that is overdue. Maybe it is taking care of ourselves, scheduling that flu shot, or slowing down to chew our food.

Philippians 2:12-13 says, Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

We are called to keep wrestling with our faith "with fear and trembling." In other words, we have to face the things. We can't just swallow someone else's experience and call it our own. In a world of AI and bots and Too Much Information, it is sooooo tempting to just not do the work - to skip the reading, to skip the solitude, to skip the listening. It is so easy to keep on our masks and just not go too deep.

But Paul continues on in Philippians 2:14-18: Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

When we do the work of our faith, our grief, our joys - when we face the memories we hold of the past, then we can be present in the present, and we can look with hard earned hope toward the future - so that we might shine like the stars of the sky.

Green Day too remembers the stars -

Here comes the rain again

Falling from the stars

Drenched in my pain again

Becoming who we are

The emotions of life ebb and flow. The hurts return when we aren't expected them; the beauty blesses us in quiet moments. So, whether you find the sky speckled with stars or drenched with rain - may you look up. May you continue to wrestle. May you pay attention. May you be willing to drop your mask - becoming who you truly are.

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