"I looked then after Christian to see him go up the Hill, where I perceived he fell from running to walking, and from walking to crawling upon his hands and his knees, because of the steepness of the place. Now about the mid-way to the top of the Hill was a pleasant arbor, made by the Lord of the Hill for the refreshing of weary travelers; when therefore Christian arrived, he sat down to rest. Then he pulled his Roll out of his bosom, and read therein to his comfort; he also now began afresh to take a review of the Coat or Garment that was given him as he stood by the Cross. Thus satisfying himself awhile, he at last fell into a slumber, and then into a deep sleep, which detained him in that place until it was almost night; and in his sleep his Roll fell out of his hand. Now as he was sleeping, there came someone to him and awaked him, saying, Go to the Ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise." John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress
Christian, has gone through many adventures. He has been watched over the entire time. He has seen the Lord of the City work in his life. Yet, even he was susceptible to resting and falling asleep. Not sleep as in going to bed, but quitting for awhile. Taking a break from his journey.
We are all on a journey. Some of us our on the right. Others of us have yet to be shown it. Others will never see it. This is for those that are own the right path, but have fallen asleep on it. What danger could befall someone for just taking a little siesta?
How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man." Proverbs 6: 9-11
Poverty, as in a lack of money may surely happen, but these verses are referring to spiritual poverty. Many that were active Christians have lost what they first had. Every living species must keep moving, keep adapting, keep modifying.
The Dead Sea is really dead. Nothing is alive in it, no fish nor plants. Why? The Jordan river and some small canals drain into it. But, unlike other seas or lakes, no river originates from the Dead Sea. As a result, the water depletes only by evaporation. In this process, only water evaporates, leaving the salt behind. The rate at which the Dead Sea loses water is far greater than the rate at which it gets replenished with fresh rainfall. As a result, over a period of time, the water has become saltier. In other words, the Dead Sea has no movement.
Some of us have become like the Dead Sea. We wonder what has happened. What happened to my joy? Why do I not delight in communing with my Lord? What has changed? The answer is nothing. That is the problem! We have stopped living. We are content on remembering what God has done and not what He is doing today. Like Christian, we are looking at our roll, at our coat, at our past.
Awaken Christian from your slumber. Rub the sleep from your eyes. Work out the soreness from your bones and get on the path again.
How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man." Proverbs 6: 9-11
Poverty, as in a lack of money may surely happen, but these verses are referring to spiritual poverty. Many that were active Christians have lost what they first had. Every living species must keep moving, keep adapting, keep modifying.
The Dead Sea is really dead. Nothing is alive in it, no fish nor plants. Why? The Jordan river and some small canals drain into it. But, unlike other seas or lakes, no river originates from the Dead Sea. As a result, the water depletes only by evaporation. In this process, only water evaporates, leaving the salt behind. The rate at which the Dead Sea loses water is far greater than the rate at which it gets replenished with fresh rainfall. As a result, over a period of time, the water has become saltier. In other words, the Dead Sea has no movement.
Some of us have become like the Dead Sea. We wonder what has happened. What happened to my joy? Why do I not delight in communing with my Lord? What has changed? The answer is nothing. That is the problem! We have stopped living. We are content on remembering what God has done and not what He is doing today. Like Christian, we are looking at our roll, at our coat, at our past.
Awaken Christian from your slumber. Rub the sleep from your eyes. Work out the soreness from your bones and get on the path again.
