| Falling asleep | | Print | |
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He fell asleep in church. Of course he was not the first to do so, nor will he be the last, but this man that is described in the book of Acts gives us a clear picture of how some people can not only fall asleep in a service, but they can be lulled into a sleep in their faith.
As Paul spoke on and on, a young man named Eutychus, sitting on the windowsill, became very drowsy. Finally, he sank into a deep sleep and fell three stories to his death below. Acts 20:9 NLT Much can be learned from his name. Eutychus actually means “fortunate.” He was blessed. He had every advantage and he began to take it for granted. He fell asleep because it had all become routine. There was no passion left. God’s word had ceased to amaze him. Similarly, many people of faith have fallen into a dormant sleep in our culture. Many that have had the benefit of great teachers, outstanding worship, and fantastic opportunities to meet with and grow in God have ended up drifting off into a lulled state of contentment because they took their faith for granted. Are you drowsy in your faith? Has your faith routine made you so comfortable you are vulnerable to drifting off course? For Eutychus, the consequences were fatal. Perhaps you have found yourself dealing with the consequences of being weary in your faith. Compromise has become easy. You find yourself where you did not want to be. Maybe you even feel spiritually dead. Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don't be alarmed,” he said. “He's alive!” Acts 20:10 NIV This is an amazing act of grace that demonstrates faith and compassion towards those who find themselves spiritually dead. Take time to thank God for the relationship that you have with Him and for the grace He extends even to those who have become spiritually dead. He longs to breathe life back into you. Insist on pressing into God, for if you are always longing to get closer to Him, you will never fall asleep in your faith. But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 NLT Submitted by Sean and Mary Dunn
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