Did I Sleep Through the Alarm Again?

I really sleep best in a cool room. For me, there is something about the cool air that makes/allows a deeper sleep. In fact, if I’m going to sleep through an alarm, it is most likely going to happen when I’ve got the room below 60 degrees F. Maybe I’m part bear, and I approach torpor (a good biological term) - the deep sleep of hibernation. I don’t know. But the other morning, the room temp was at 58 degrees F, the alarm went off at 4:00, and I was awakened at 5:05. Perhaps I need more alarms, or for my one alarm to be much more obvious.

In Matthew 24, Christ described some alarms that would go off shortly before His return. There are also suggestions throughout the New Testament that near the end of time, His followers, or perhaps, would-be followers would have a tendency to sleep. Such are given a strong warning – Wake up! It’s time to be ready!

I don’t know about you, but does it seem like some of the alarms are going off? True, there have always been wars. There have always been earthquakes and other natural disasters. There has always been social strife and commotion. Tribulations are not new to the human experience. But did you know that the word translated “tribulations” in Matthew 24 actually literally refers to labor pains? Surely you’re aware that as the birth approaches, the labor pains become more frequent and stronger. Is there a chance that I’m in torpor, and sleeping through the spiritual alarms?

Interestingly, Christ didn’t tell His followers to start getting ready when the signs became apparent (Does an expectant mother wait for the labor pains to come before getting the nursery ready?). He told His followers to be ready. That involves having an active relationship with Him now. If He’s my best friend – if I am putting Him first in my life – I’ll be spending time getting and staying ready, whether the alarms are going off or not.

Right now the world looks like it is in a real mess. It sounds as if we’re at the brink. I don’t know if we actually are or not. That’s not really the question before me. The real question is whether I’m cold (in a torpor, deeply asleep spiritually), lukewarm (awake, but not really doing a whole lot with my spiritual life), or hot (out of bed and ready to go).

Anyone want an extra blanket?

Dr. G