Are We “Sleepy Christians”?

Romans 13:8-14

Matthew 26:36-46

Jesus was distressed to find his disciples literally sleeping at a crucial time. “Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ‘So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak’” (Matthew 26:40-41). Paul warned his readers in Rome of the dangers of spiritual sleep as well. “Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep” (Romans 13:11). In each case the intent is to keep us from becoming “sleepy Christians,” those who snooze when we should be alert and active, tending to our faith and our relationship to God.

This is an easy analogy to pass over without much thought. But what might being a “sleepy Christian” actually mean for us in our world today? Is there starvation, hunger, deprivation to which we fail to respond, injustice against which we fail to speak? Is there a word from the Lord, a call to ministry, a sense of purpose that we have conveniently overlooked? Is there someone crying, or praying, or singing, who would welcome our presence and our comfort? Spiritual and physical sleep may keep us from reaching our full, God-given potential. It may rob us of the means by which to serve our Lord.

There is a time and place for sleep. The body needs enough rest in order to work efficiently. But there is also such a thing as too much sleep. Laziness and sloth may deter us from serving God so we must remain robust! We must remain active and alive. We must live as though the hour is at hand, for according to Paul and Jesus, it is.

Prayer: Lord, help us to rise from our stupor and work for the coming of your kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.