Stay Awake

But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.  1 Thessalonians 5:4-8

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that causes overwhelming daytime drowsiness. While this is a real medical condition, it is also described as a spiritual condition in the passage above. The Apostle Paul is not talking about sleeping at night nor is he talking about sleep per se. What is being said has everything to do with being spiritually alert. Because of the life we live in Christ, we are now called to stay awake. He calls the Thessalonian believers to live according to their belonging. They belong to the day, so don’t fall asleep.

Staying away is something that, at times, must be fought for. Drunkenness is a signal to the body that it is time to sleep. Paul calls the church to be sober. Darkness is another signal that brings on sleep. Staying in a well-lit location will keep the body alert and awake. It says in 1 John 1:7 to “walk in the light as He is in the light.” Strategically being in a spiritually light-filled location promotes the kind of alertness that fits our calling.

DO THIS TODAY: Step into the light by acting on faith, hope or love.