Sleepy Time

What puts you to sleep? According to the Sleep Foundation, almost half of all Americans say they feel sleepy during the day and 35.2% of all adults in the U.S. report sleeping on average for less than seven hours per night. When it’s time to get to bed, what do you do to help you fall asleep? Is it a glass of warm milk or some melatonin supplements? Do you wind down in front of the television or a good book? For me, reading puts me to sleep, but my wife is the exact opposite; if she starts reading before bed it will oftentimes keep her awake as she can’t wait to read just one more chapter. It’s important to know what helps us to sleep so that we can get a good night’s sleep, but it’s also important to know what puts us to sleep spiritually.

“‘The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!’” (Mark 13:34-37)

Jesus gave us a warning not to be sleeping when He returns. Imagine what the master would do if he gave instructions to his slaves and gatekeepers to work and watch for him while he was gone only to find them sleeping when he returned. If we aren’t diligent to work and watch for Jesus, we too can expect such a punishment.

“Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, ‘Sit here while I go over there to pray.’ He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. He told them, ‘My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’ (…) Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, ‘Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour?’ (…) When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open.” (Matthew 26:36-38, 40, 43)

In His hour of greatest need Jesus asked the disciples to keep watch and they fell asleep. Twice. Our Master is away but He will return. So what puts you to sleep? Are you lulled to sleep by social media, the draw of followers and likes? Are you rocked to sleep by this world with the allure of many possessions? Does entertainment keep you just tired enough that you are not on watch for your Master? Have progressive lies/teachings about the very Scriptures themselves assuaged you into a zombie-like sleepy existence? It is vitally important to know what puts you to sleep spiritually because the consequences of that nap could be eternal. When Jesus returns, will He find you keeping watch or will you be sleeping?

“You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.” (Matthew 24:44)

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.