Stay Awake

Every year on the first Sunday of Advent we hear that stark warning from Jesus: “Stay awake!”

Of course, physically, this is an almost impossible task for. We need sleep in order to maintain bodily and mental health. However, even in our waking hours, we can be both mentally and spiritually asleep.

The world has much to offer to keep us mentally and spiritually asleep. Perhaps one of the commonest sleeps of this kind has been, over the ages, induced by alcoholic drinks. In itself, there is nothing wrong with alcohol - it is abuse of it which is wrong. Indeed, it acts as a preservative, preventing fermented grape (and other fruit juices) from turning to vinegar. In Biblical times, where water was a scarce or unpredictable commodity, it would have been a vital necessity. Adequate supplies of wine would have assuaged the thirst in times when water was unobtainable. And, of course, in those days there were not the facilities for storage of liquids which are available in our times.

There are several references in the Bible telling us to avoid drunkenness or excessive consumption of wine or strong drinks. Even so there is no doubt that drunkenness was not an unfamiliar occurance. As we read in the first book of Samuel (1:9-18), Eli the priest mistook the silent, anguished prayer of Hannah to be an indication that she was drunk. At the same time appropriate use of alcohol was clearly approved, as in the marriage feast at Cana. and in chapter 25 of Isaiah we read of the Lord providing a feast of rich food and fine wines. And, of course, there is the classical case of the Samaritan who poured oil and wine onto the wounds of the man who fell victim of robbers.

We do not have to look far these days to find the effects of abuse of alcohol. Certainly alcohol is not conducive to alert and wide awake driving. But there are many other ways in which the world tries to lull us into mental and spiritual sleep. Abuse of drugs springs readily to mind, but the most subtle is perhaps music and television. Again, properly used, these forms of entertainment are an art form which can be beneficial. Music can bring joy, and harmony between people; television can also be joyful and instructive. For many people, particularly the elderly and housebound it is a window on the world which would ortherwise be beyond their reach.

Unfortunately music, or rather certain types of music, can become an addictive drug which dulls the mind or becomes a form of escapism - an escape from the realities of life and an obstacle to true mental and spiritual growth. Television, and perhaps to a lesser extent radio, can also become just another way of passing (or rather wasting) time.

Even sleep, whether physical, mental or spiritual can also be a form of escapism. I well remember as a lad falling asleep over my homework when it seemed too difficult for me. I probably hoped it would go away, but of course it never did.

There are many occasions when the televised news reports make us want to shut our minds in sleep because the stories seem too horific for us to face. Alternatively, we become so accustomed to watching disaster movies as a form of entertainment that we tend to look on actual disasters in the same light and shy away from the realities. Surely, we should stay awake to the problems that beset the world and pray not to fall into the temptation of saying there is little we can do about it, and doing nothing. If there is truly little that we can do then we must do that little. If that little is only prayer then we must pray, believing that to God all things are possible and, if we are sincere, He will mutiply our little as He multiplied the loaves and fishes.

In short, it seems to me that Jesus is asking us to use our allotted span of time wisely, to be constantly alert and aware that our time on earth is limited and that one day we will be called to give an account of our stewardship. We do not need to do this in a morbid fashion, but rather joyfully and appreciating the wonderful gifts we have received from God and trying always to use them wisely. Even our troubles can be beneficial with the help of God’s grace; although at times it may be hard to see it.

Wilf Eggleston, 25th April 2006

Note

I should like to emphasise that the views and ideas expressed in this leaflet reflect my own personal thoughts only and are in no way intended to be regarded as authoritative comment.