Yesterday was Sunday. I was in the middle of a message. OK–it was something I am very passionate about. Maybe you would have to know what is on my mind these days.
I think a lot about the mess we are in.
The human mess. Broken, sinful mess. I’m not just talking about the foolish choices people make (which may have implications for years to come). I’m also referring to people who get hurt by someone else’s rebellion. Maybe these people really had nothing to do with making these choices but they are impacted nevertheless. Spouses. Children. Friends. I think about some of the questions my own children have asked me through the years about families they saw being destroyed by the sinful choices of moms or dads. I think about comments my children made years ago as they saw other children, friends of theirs, desperately needing guidance while mom and dad closed their eyes in passive neglect.
Anyway, "pry me open" and you will find these concerns in a corner of my heart. They are present regardless of the message series that I happen to preach on Sundays. But–yesterday morning I was three fourths of the way through this message, when I saw him. A husband. A father. Sound asleep.
(I’m not sure I like being this honest). I could feel some of these concerns bubbling up but not spilling over…yet. Then I saw this guy–asleep. No it’s not the first time I’ve seen him or others asleep. Of course this guy may have been up half the night or may be on medication. I don’t want to be unreasonable. Yet it struck me as an image of what is all to common in churches.
Asleep…
- Asleep to the pain and suffering around them.
- Asleep to the temptations of the evil one.
- Asleep, while the rich treasure we have in Christ is taken for granted.
This is nothing new of course. Paul told the church in Sardis to "Wake Up!" (Rev. 3:2). Then, echoing the words of Isaiah, he tells the Christ-followers at Ephesus,
Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you. (Eph. 5:14)
As I typed the above verse, I thought about my own need to stay awake and alert. I do not want to become dull and lethargic to what the evil one is doing in this world. Nor do I want to become so spiritually sedate that I miss the joy of the great treasure that I have in Christ.
Jim: Why is it I find just a slight delight in knowing that people sleep through your sermons as well?! In the larger picture, we’re all pretty much asleep. When I read God’s Word with an open and searching heart, I am convicted on so many levels of my lack of laying aside my life and picking up His cross.
Have we ever done what I have done? Listened to a taped message of one of my earlier messages and yikes! Fallen asleep?
what do you do when that happens? are the people ever sensible enough to seem apologetic afterwards?
(incidentally, i just wrote about how my 5yr old was awake, listening, and totally missed our pastor’s point on Sunday)
I’m curious — will you speak to this man about his habit of falling asleep?
Gregg,
Yes, they really do! Years ago, I was a guest preacher at a church. An older gentleman who I had known for years approached me just before I entered the building. He told me there were a lot of older people here and I might ought to watch the time. I was about five minutes into the message when I saw him to my right–head cocked to the side, sound asleep. 🙂
Tom,
I’m probably afraid to do that! I laughed when I read your comment. What if I heard a tape of my own message and fell asleep?
Alan,
I didn’t mean to imply that he had a habit of falling asleep. I’ve been here 13 years and can just remember that he had fallen asleep before. I suppose if I had a close enough relationship with the guy I might say something. Right now, I’m just glad he’s there.
Holy Mama,
You know, I’ve had a number of people through the years say something like this, “I’m so sorry I dozed. I’m on medication that makes me so sleepy.” Or they might say they had a very rough week or just didn’t sleep well etc. I’ve appreciated their thoughtfulness.
We went to eat with friends one Sunday after our assembly and my friend had fallen asleep during my sermon, which is not uncommon. Anyway, after lunch another friend wanted to buy everyone dessert. The daughter of the friend who had fallen asleep (again) was so excited about getting dessert but was told she could not have any because she had misbehaved in church. I looked right at her dad and said, “Was what she did any worse than sleeping through my sermon?” She got her dessert and, surprisingly, we’re still very good friends!
Jim-
I remember being in a class with you one time and you talked about what people looked like when you were preaching (interested, falling asleep, messing with kids, etc.)
I know this sounds crazy, but it never occurred to me that you were acutally looking at us and not just that we were looking at you! 😉
It made me try extra hard to look attentive and give positive feedback. (Not that it is difficult!)
Jim,
Read your post and thought of the times I’ve looked around church at the people who were nodding off or outright sleeping.
Then I immediately thought of the Casting Crowns song “While You Were Sleeping” — lyrics are here: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/castingcrowns/whileyouweresleeping.html
Thanks for this reminder.
Russ
Elizabeth–What a good post. I was smiling all the way through it.