Spiritual Sleepwalkers

“Think in the morning. Act in the noon. Eat in the evening. Sleep in the night.” – William Blake

Deanna and I have a pretty set routine when it comes to sleep. Around 9:00 PM, having watched a TV show or two together, she heads into our bedroom to read while I switch on FOX News for a few minutes. If it’s before 9:00 PM, I catch the end of Jesse Watters Primetime and if it’s after 9:00 PM, I watch the beginning of Hannity. Then I join her in bed to read before it’s lights out around 9:30 PM or so.

Pretty exciting, huh?

Whereas I am a very sound sleeper, Deanna isn’t and so, she usually gets up before I do… or rather, our two dogs wake her up while I continue to snooze away. Trust me, I really appreciate the extra hour or so of sleep she allows me in the morning, maybe because I am five years older than she is.

Getting the right amount of sleep is important for our physical and mental health, but far too many people – including a lot of Christians – are spiritually sleepwalking through life and that isn’t good at all. On the contrary, we should be on our toes, awake and alert for both spiritual dangers and spiritual opportunities.

Here is what Charles Spurgeon, the “Prince of Preachers”, had to say on the subject…

“Christians who isolate themselves and walk alone are very liable to grow drowsy. Keep Christian company, and you will be kept wakeful by it, and refreshed and encouraged to make quicker progress on the road to heaven. But as you enjoy fellowship with others in the ways of God, take care that the theme of your conversation is the Lord Jesus. Let the eye of faith be constantly looking to Him; let your heart be full of Him; let your lips speak of His worth.”

“Friend, live near to the cross, and you will not sleep. Work hard to impress yourself with a deep sense of the value of the place to which you are going. If you remember that you are going to heaven, you will not sleep on the road. If you think that hell is behind you, and the devil pursuing you, you will not loiter. Would the innocent sleep with the enemy in pursuit and the city of refuge before him?”

“Christian, will you sleep while the pearly gates are open—the songs of angels waiting for you to join them—a crown of gold ready for your brow? Ah, no! In holy fellowship continue to watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation.”

“I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.” Psalm 3:5 (NIV)

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President