It was announced last week that Utqiagvik, Alaska, has seen their last sunrise for over 60 days.

Known as “polar night,” this happens every winter because of the tilt of the Earth’s axis. The tilt makes it so that none of the sun’s disc is visible above the horizon in towns located in the Arctic Circle.

Think of it….more than two months without sunlight.

Mark 13 (English Standard Version)

²⁴ “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, ²⁵ and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. ²⁶ And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. ²⁷ And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

³² “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³³ Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. 

No one knows the day or the hour when Jesus will return. No one knows when this world will end and we will begin our new life with the Lord together. Jesus instructs us to be on guard and keep awake. What does that mean?

³⁴ It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake.³⁵ Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows,^[c] or in the morning— ³⁶ lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. ³⁷ And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”

I think it means to stay awake to the needs around you. Be alert to opportunities where you can serve the poor, the marginalized, the hungry, and the needy. You don’t know how many more chances you get to be Jesus to others.

I think it means to seek forgiveness from those whom you have hurt. Today. This hour. You don’t know how many more chances you have to do that.

I think it means to forgive those who have hurt you, even if they haven’t sought your forgiveness. Withholding forgiveness is a burden YOU carry in your heart. Let it go. You may not have another opportunity to unburden yourself.

I KNOW it means to repent. Get right with Jesus this instant. Clear yourself and cleanse yourself of the stink of sin. You do have an opportunity to come to Jesus and confess.

And what I say to you I say to all: stay awake.