PILGRIM'S PROGRESS – SLEEPINESS
"You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night…." (I Thessalonians 5:5-7a).
"Then I saw in my dream that they continued their journey until they came into a region where the air naturally induced sleepiness if one was not acclimated to it. Here, Hopeful began to grow very sluggish and sleepy. 'Do you recall that one of the shepherds told us to beware of the Enchanted Ground?' Christian inquired."
There is a possibility that the believer will be lulled into a sense of comfort and complacency. The issues of righteousness no longer stir him. His eyelids become heavy and he closes his eyes to the evil in the world around him. He becomes tired to the journey and just wants to get to a Motel 6 (or a Marriott). A sleeping Christian does not care that the world around him is going into eternity without Christ. Sleep overtakes him because he is just plain worn out. Satan would love to have Christians sleep – just dreamily floating through life, because people who sleep are not engaged in the battle.
It is true that we all need to rest. But I have heard that soldiers in battle sleep with one ear open. They are alert to any noise that would indicate impending danger. We are in a war and it is dangerous for us to sleep through the battle with our heads in the ground like an Ostrich. It is especially important for the sentry – the "watchman on the wall" (Ezekiel 3:17; Isaiah 21;11-12) – to stay alert. Jesus said to "Watch and Pray." I can't be alert if my eyes are closed in sleep. Take some Dramamine if need be, but for the future of my soul, I must stay awake. "Be vigilant (watchful), because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion..." (I Peter 5:8
Love, Dad
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