Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When He was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. — Acts 20:9
I’m glad the Lord included this story in the book of Acts. Notice how the inspired word of God includes several details. It was the middle of the night. Paul was talking "on and on." Several lamps were burning, robbing the room of invigorating oxygen. And Eutychus was young. Was the Lord making allowances for this sleeper?
The story doesn’t end with verse nine. Eutychus was raised from the dead.
Suppose God took the position that Eutychus was less than spiritual, that falling asleep in church was a no-no — no matter how inconvenient the circumstances, that it’s too bad he died, but, hey, that’s the price of less than 100% commitment.
But God is not an exacting tyrant just waiting for us to mess up. Grace is part of who God is.
So here is the word for today: God shows up for people who sleep in church, for the less than perfect, for the fully human, for regular people like you and me. God is not ready to pounce, but He is ready to love.
Be encouraged!
Dwight
Dwight Clough is the author of four Christian books and is an active member of Lake City Church in Madison. This devotional is also available via email and you may review the archives back to 2002. To contact Dwight or Kim, use their contact form. You may also support their ministry.