By: Rex Stump
Have you ever fallen asleep during a meeting, in class, during film, or at church? In Acts 20, a young man fell asleep while the Apostle Paul was preaching, and it was worse than embarrassing! He died!
Can you imagine? You get your name in the Bible in one place, and it’s for falling asleep and dying? Check it out!
The upstairs room where we met was lighted with many flickering lamps. As Paul spoke on and on, a young man named Eutychus, sitting on the windowsill, became very drowsy. Finally, he fell sound asleep and dropped three stories to his death below.
Well, that can really sour a church service! It’s warm, late at night, lights flickering, Paul has a lot to say, a perfect setting for a nap…or bedtime!
Who knows, this young man may have had a long day! I know what it feels like to be tired, and to fight staying awake while someone is preaching or teaching. We all have been there! So, let’s show him some grace!
But you know what’s worse than falling asleep in church? Falling asleep spiritually! 1 Thessalonians 5:6-7, “So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. Night is the time when people sleep, and drinkers get drunk.” Paul tells us that we need to spiritually wake up!
Think about what happens when you are sleeping. When we sleep, we are unaware of our surroundings; things are happening around us and we have no idea what is taking place.
When we sleep, we have no defense. We can easily be attacked or hurt. When we sleep, we are inactive. We are lying there, doing nothing.
Unaware, helpless, inactive…those are the characteristics of those spiritually sleeping. And that should not be us!
Paul wrote (to this same church) Ephesians 5:14-16, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.”
Are we spiritually sleeping or awake? Are we unaware of our spiritual surroundings? Are we defenseless, are we inactive?
Too many Christians are hitting the snooze button, or not even setting an alarm. Not only must we be spiritually awake, but we must also be ready to meet the Lord. He is coming back someday, and it may be soon! Are you ready?
By the way, scripture tells us that, “Paul went down, bent over him, and took him into his arms. “Don’t worry,” he said, “he’s alive!” A good ending! How about you? Wake up my friend!
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Rex Stump is the Area Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and serves as a Pastor at True North Church in Wauseon, Ohio.
