Sleepy?
A Mid-Week Meditation
In a AAA survey I read, 28% of motorists reported being so tired in the last month they had a hard time keeping their eyes open behind the wheel. Driving while drowsy and fatigued is a threat to all drivers. The study from that survey said, “Many times a very fatigued driver may fall asleep for several seconds at the wheel without even realizing it.” I imagine many of us have had that scary experience. Have you ever fallen asleep at the wheel of your life of faith? We need to stay awake because time is short!
And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. - Romans 13:11-12
We don’t want to be sleepy followers of God! While a good amount of sleep is healthy for our bodies, we can be too sleepy in our service to the Lord! Proverbs 6:9-11 encourages us not to be so sleepy that we can’t be busy about the Lord’s work. In the garden, Jesus asked his disciples to pray for him. After he prayed, he went back to them only to find them asleep (Luke 22:44-46). He said, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”
We don’t want to be sleepy from sinfulness! In Ephesians 5:13-15, Paul encourages us to not be ‘sleepers’ but to be making the most of every opportunity. How many opportunities are passing us by because we are not awake to the Lord’s work?
We don’t want to be unaware of the coming of Jesus! To the church at Sardis, stern words were spoken that ended with, “If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you” (Revelation 3:1-3).
How do we wake up in our spiritual lives? Paul has the answer in Romans 13! He teaches us to “put on the armor of light.” This armor is found in Ephesians 6:10-13!
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. - Ephesians 6:10-13
It’s a sad condition for Christians to be comatose in their spiritual life! If you have been sleeping in the Kingdom, it’s time to wake up, watch for ways to serve, and keep an eye on the horizon for the coming Savior!
John Dobbs
Brother John, what a GREAT lesson for us all.
Back when I was 20, I had confirmation that God does indeed look out for fools. I was living in Charlotte with some friends and working in a restaurant. It was my first real job. One day I woke up sick as a dog, but my work ethic made me go to work. I got to work and my boss realized I was sick. We agreed I should go home until I was better. Driving down the highway I passed out. Busy highway with three lanes on either side and lots of cars. I woke up in the grass in the middle. I still don’t know to this day how I didn’t die that day.