What Do You Mean, Sleeper?
From Pastor Tim Olof
Jonah 1:1-6
Now the Word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.” But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. But the Lord sent out a great wind on the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship was about to be broken up. Then the mariners were afraid; and every man cried out to his god, and threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea, to lighten the load. But Jonah had gone down into the lowest parts of the ship, had laid down, and was fast asleep. So the captain came to him, and said to him, “What do you mean, sleeper? Arise, call on your God; perhaps your God will consider us, so that we may not perish.”
The nature of Jonah’s sleep is also instructive, and too much like the sleep of the careless Christian:
Jonah slept in a place where he hoped no one would see him or disturb him.
“Sleeping Christians” like to “hide out” among the Church.Jonah slept in a place where he could not help with the work that needed to be done.
“Sleeping Christians” stay away from the work of the Lord.Jonah slept while there was a prayer meeting up on the deck.
“Sleeping Christians” don’t like prayer meetings!Jonah slept and had no idea of the problems around him.
“Sleeping Christians” don’t know what is really going on.Jonah slept when he was in great danger.
“Sleeping Christians” are in danger, but don’t know it.Jonah slept while the heathen needed him.
“Sleeping Christians” snooze on while the world needs their message and testimony.
May we be Christians who are aware of what God is doing.
Love,
Tim
