Jonathan Haws Lately I’ve been reflecting on the idea of waking up—not just physically, but spiritually. Many faith traditions use this metaphor. In Buddhism, awakening (or bodhi) is the very heart of the path—seeing reality more clearly and living with compassion. In Islam, the call to prayer itself is a daily invitation to “arise” and remember God. Even in modern Christian thought, people often speak of “awakening” to God’s love at work in their lives. Scripture also carries this theme: “Awake from a deep sleep, yea, even from the sleep of hell, and shake off the awful chains by which ye are bound” (2 Nephi 1:13). “Awake, put on thy strength, O Zion” (Isaiah 52:1). “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain” (Revelation 3:2). These verses remind us that to be spiritually awake means to live and love in the most Christlike way possible—to see more clearly, love more deeply, and act more faithfully.
I heard Thomas McConkie put it this way: “The world we will create will be informed by the perspectives we’re able to take, and the possibilities that come from that…which helps us be more creative in a very deep way.” To wake up spiritually isn’t something we do on our own—it happens as we open ourselves to the voices and journeys of others. Their experiences broaden us, stretch us, and help us see God’s hand in ways we might never have noticed by ourselves.
This connects to the stages of adult development. As missionaries, it’s easy to operate in the Expert stage, confident in what you know and eager to share it. But waking up spiritually means moving beyond that, toward the Achiever or even Strategist stages, where you listen deeply, honor others’ stories, and recognize that God is already at work in their lives. By listening and learning, you not only love people better—you also awaken something deeper in yourself. Their perspectives become a gift that refines your own discipleship.
And this is key: when you listen to others’ faith journeys, you help them feel seen and valued—not dismissed because they “haven’t yet received the message.” Imagine sitting with a practicing Hindu who describes how daily prayer at the family shrine brings peace to their home, or an Evangelical Christian who shares how a heartfelt moment of worship changed the direction of their life. In those moments, you don’t need to correct or compare—you need to listen. By honoring their stories, you are showing them that Christ sees them. And since you are His representatives, your ability to listen with love is one of the most powerful ways to convey His presence.
This week, as you meet people, try to spend more time asking questions than giving answers. Listen carefully, without rushing to correct or teach. Notice what you can learn from their story, and silently ask yourself: “How is God already at work in this person’s life?” Share this challenge with your companions—practice this together, reflect together, and notice what new doors open as you learn to truly listen and accept people where they are. As you do, you’ll not only help them feel loved and seen—you’ll also wake up more fully to the living presence of Christ in the world around you.
As you practice this kind of listening, remember that you are not gathering information—you are embodying Christ’s love. He was always awake to the hearts of others, always willing to see and hear them fully. When you do the same, people will feel His presence through you. That is the kind of missionary work that awakens souls—including your own.
All my love,
Dad
