Imagine this: you’re sitting in church Sunday morning, listening to your pastor faithfully preach God’s Word, when you notice the person in front of you or next to you falling asleep. What do you do? What is the first thing that goes through your mind?
Oh, that poor man must work nights, but he still came to morning service anyway.
I can’t believe that boy isn’t paying attention! How could he sleep in church!
He was probably up late last night doing who knows what! He needs to learn to go to bed early like me!
That girl must not be a good Christian… falling asleep in church like that… She obviously doesn’t love Jesus.
I should wake him up…
Now, these may seem a little extreme, but the question still stands: what do you think when someone near you falls asleep during the service?
We have to think about this: it’s a serious issue. Do you feel bad for them? Do you get angry? Are you disappointed? Does it make you chuckle, inadvertently making the pastor think the joke he just told was actually funny?
What should we think about people who fall asleep in church? What should we do?
Here are some things to think about:
What was your first response, and what was the underlying motive?
Are you paying attention, or are you too busy focusing on someone else?
Do you assume the best of others?
Do you really need to be offended on God’s behalf, or can He take care of Himself.
Do you know the person, what they are currently going through, how tired they are, and how crazy their week was?
And, finally, how closely did you walk with God last week? You can put on a facade of spirituality and can stay awake during church on Sunday, but what is your life like between Sundays?
Be careful how quickly you jump to judge someone. Be quick to assume the best of others, and realize that you are just as much of a sinner – your weakness might just be in a different area.
