The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, 

because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

Romans 13:11, NIV (1978)

William Danforth tells the story of a Canadian man who was a street car conductor many years ago. He was called into service during WWI and this man of humble beginnings rose to the level of General before the war came to an end. So, how does a man of such modest background become a general? Mr. Danforth revealed that it wasn't until he awakened those sleeping giants within that he was able to accomplish such a feat.

Shortly after entering the military, this street car conductor began to live in close quarters with a college professor and an engineer. Conversations with such men had a way of sharpening the mind, and the man took full advantage. He went to artillery training and found that he was able to quickly calculate figures that went well beyond the making of small change that had occupied his former life.

He genuinely liked people, and his superiors noticed that he had a way of making people like him - so much so that they were willing to follow him. Further more, he found at last a great moral cause that was worthy of immersing himself in, and he did so wholeheartedly. Before he knew it, that general that was always dormant within became fully awakened to the point that he could reveal himself as the leader he was.

So, how does a man go from the back of a street car to being out front, leading thousands of men? He first has to wake up!

We all have some type of talent that makes us uniquely suited for some great task, but most never find out their full potential. This is understandable since we are all involved in the daily duties of making a living and raising our children, or whatever else we have that places such high demands on our lives. When it comes down to it, we typically don't have the spare time to think about our highest and best uses while we are here on this earth. But there does come a point that we just need to make that time. The fact is that God has placed us in this world to serve, not to simply "wile away the hours". At some point or another we are going to have to come to terms with the knowledge that we are not here for our own pleasure, rather, we are here at the pleasure of God.

And what pleases God? The Bible reveals that loving Him and loving our neighbor is our highest calling. By doing so we will discover all sorts of hidden talents within, because the serving of God and men takes effort, skill, and thought. We will have to "awaken" these giants" if we are to ever reach our fullest potential. I am convinced that God has put us here for great things - perhaps not things that will be all the great in the eyes of men, but certainly things that God will find of great worth.

How do we do it? Well, how did the street conductor do it? He began to expand his thinking. He realized that he genuinely cared for people and he wanted to do something to help them - to keep them safe. And, he had the courage to remake himself from an ordinary man just making a living, into the great man who could think of the needs of others and then do something to fulfill those needs.

I am convinced that we too have that potential. We just have to wake up! For the day of our salvation, as well as the salvation of those we love, is much closer than we think.