Awake in the World (A Soft Hallelujah)

When we finally come to Christ, when we reach that point where we’ve had enough of the world’s cruelty, suppression, and pain, it’s often those very things that drive us to Him. Sadly, that’s usually what it takes to wake us up and see the truth. Because when life is smooth, when everything seems fine, we don’t feel a need to search for help or hope. It’s like a person with a healthy leg not thinking to visit a doctor for a cast.

But faith doesn’t work that way. It should be the reverse.

I’ve known this truth my whole life, but I ignored it. I knew my life had more meaning than what I pretended it did. But as long as everything looked okay, I didn’t seek the truth. God should be the first One we go to in everything, in joy and in sorrow, in peace and in pain.

When little children wake up, who do they run to? Their parents—for hugs, breakfast, and love. Not because they’re hurt or in trouble, but simply because they crave that closeness. They don’t wait until they fall or scrape their knee to seek out their mother or father. It should be the same with us and our Father in heaven.

Since coming to Christ, a whole new world has opened up to me. Yes, it’s a world where darkness still exists, but now I can see it clearly. I see the things I once ignored, the sins I excused, the truths I hid from. And once you see the truth, you can’t unsee it. I wouldn’t want to. I never want to lose what God has revealed to me.

When we become aware of our sin—the guilt, the shame, the stain it leaves—we realize it can’t be washed away by our own strength. Only the blood of Christ can do that. And though we sin again and again, His mercy remains.

There truly is no place like Home, not even the one we build here on earth. Our eternal home with Christ surpasses everything this world could ever offer. And that’s where my heart longs to be. I know my works don’t earn salvation, but my faith drives me to live for Him with sincerity and purpose.

Now that the Holy Spirit has awakened me, I see and understand things I never could before. I see the wrong I’ve done, even the things I once thought were harmless. And every day, I strive to be the woman God created me to be, to wash away the darkness within and walk in His light.

But awakening also brings pain.

Seeing the truth means facing it. And coming to Christ doesn’t erase our pain or shield us from suffering; Scripture promises the opposite. Yet I’ve learned that pain isn’t meant to disappear, but it’s meant to teach. We learn to live with it, to walk through it, and to surrender it all—not just the hardest parts, but everything—into His hands.

Becoming aware of my sin hasn’t been easy. Even now, as I walk closely with Christ, I still stumble. We all do. It’s part of being human in a broken world. But now, when I fall, I recognize it. I feel that nudge from the Holy Spirit, a gentle reminder that I’m not who I used to be.

I used to think things like overeating or losing my temper were just part of me, flaws I couldn’t change. But now I know better. Each time I feel conviction, I know God is helping me grow, teaching me repentance, and showing me grace.

I’m not where I want to be yet, but I’m not where I was. And that’s the beauty of this walk. God knows my heart. He sees that I’m trying, that I’m asking forgiveness, learning, and growing. And that’s what carries me through each new day.

May God bless you, your family, and your life.

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The text in this article is copyright © 2025 Jessica Redmerski.

Music Credits:

“Ever After” by William Claeson via Epidemic Sound

“Starlit Fantasia” by Amber Glow via Epidemic Sound

“Try Your Wings” by Helmut Schenker via Epidemic Sound