“Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain…for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God.” Revelation 3:2
Have you considered your relationship with sleep? Mine has changed over the years. Before I had kids, sleep was a nuisance. I always saw it as interrupting a great night or taking me from unfinished work. After my firstborn, I had a new appreciation for it. I longed for just 6 consecutive hours of uninterrupted sleep and regretted not appreciating the peaceful rest I had enjoyed for so many years before. I had a season of working third shift that showed me the challenges of “day-sleeping” and found I could function on much less sleep than I had previously known; function, but not thrive. I have had seasons of napping without regret, and seasons of sleep as an unhealthy escape.
When the Bible shows us something very “human” like sleep, it is just the time to wake up (ya see what I did there?) and take notice. Jesus rested at the well because He was tired (Mark 4:6). Is this a glimpse at the Messiah longing for a nap? Jesus is asleep on a boat during a storm (Matthew 8:24). Do we infer He was a heavy sleeper, or do we find a role model who handles the storms of life without worry? Seeing Jesus sleep is perhaps the most human activity He reveals.
But sleep in the Bible isn’t only a reflection of humanity. It can reveal more about our nature.
Sleep was the culprit when the disciples could not pray with Jesus (Matthew 26:40). Sleep caused Eutychus to fall out a window while Paul was teaching (Acts 20:9). Jesus even said in Revelation 3:2 that the entire Church of Sardis was asleep. These examples of sleep show man drifting off instead of staying alert, losing interest instead of persevering, and surrendering to weariness instead of working until completion. We are all given work prepared for us to do, but it requires endurance to complete it. We fall “asleep” when we quit the task before us.
But there is good news. Whether we battle literal sleep or spiritual sleep, we can be awakened. May we learn to recognize the spiritual battle of sleep or see that we have fallen into a spiritual sleep, and respond to the gentle nudge to wake up and return to work.
Use the following questions to contemplate spiritual sleep.
Have you fallen asleep in your spiritual walk?
Have you surrendered to pressures and struggles of this world and quit pursuing the divine desires you began?
What needs to be finished?
Supporting scriptures: Matthew 26:36-45, Acts 20:9, Galatians 6:9, Ephesians 5:14
Supporting Songs: “Waking Up” by We The Kingdom, “Good Morning” by Mandisa
Recent Comments