Why Do We Wait -- Bulletin Article 10.21.2007

Which is a better place to sleep, the couch or the bed? The answer is obvious. Beds provide more room, more comfort, and more durability. Although comfortable in the short term, couches are not designed for—and typically do not respond well to—long nights of sleep on a regular basis. Yet how often do we find ourselves drifting into sleep while laying on the couch, aware of the need to get up and go to bed...only to stay there and fall into a deep sleep?

The other night, Amanda and I were watching TV as our night was ending. I had turned it over to watch Survivorman has the guy was stranded on Costa Rica and was attempting to survive for seven days all by himself. It is always intriguing to observe his resourcefulness and improvisation in the face of legitimately dangerous situations.

I was beginning to feel it. My eyes were getting heavier and I was getting more still. I knew my body was ready for bed. Yet my mind was just interested enough in Survivorman to push it to the edge. Something about being in that state of sleep limbo can be really peaceful as well. So I stayed.

About an hour-and-a-half later, Amanda woke me up to tell me we needed to get up and actually go to bed. In spite of the appeal—at the time—to stay on the couch, sleeping in the bed was much more comfortable. It always is.

In spite of knowing which place was better for sleeping, I still chose to stay in the more uncomfortable place. Knowing I would likely have the opportunity to get up later and actually go to the bed. Even though I knew what was in my best interest, I chose otherwise. As trivial of a concern as this is from a physical level, there’s a spiritual application.

Which is the better place to live, in Christ or out of Christ? The answer is obvious. Paul tells us that every spiritual blessing is located in Christ (Eph. 1:3). How many are located out of Christ? Zero. Surely no honest-thinking individual would look at life without Jesus and conclude that it is more comfortable and more appealing—especially in the long term—than life with Him. Yet too many of us spurn the opportunity to get up and follow Him. Too many of us have felt the comfort of Christ by obeying him, yet have wandered back to the “couch” of the world. Many of us enjoy being around Christians (those in Christ—Gal. 3:26-27) and doing Christ-like things, yet don’t have a personal relationship with Him. What a wonderful opportunity to conscientiously brush aside. Unlike my late night antics above, there is no certainty of a later time to get up and make things right. If we knowingly stare down the choice between Christ’s way and our way, and—even for a moment—choose our way, we are testing God’s grace, love, and mercy (Rom. 6:1-2).

May we all have the strength to make the decision to follow Christ—right now. God bless...have a wonderful week!