how to stop sleep-walking

I've been told that
I talk in my sleep.

Not a comforting thought
to realize that I'm probably
divulging some deep, inner
secret in the middle of the night
over which I have no control.

I don't think it happens as much
lately as it did in my younger years.
Or maybe my husband has just
learned to sleep through it.

But I have had a few occasions
where I woke myself up talking,
so I know it's true.

​Fortunately, I've never awakened
while walking around the house.
That would be even scarier!

I don't think I've ever sleep-walked.
Nor do I remember witnessing
anyone who has.

But as I understand it, those who do
are not just in a light form of sleep,
walking around, they actually do stuff.

These dazed walkers often engage
in simple activities during their stroll.
Witnesses say they have seen
sleepwalking family members
heading to, and using the bathroom,
eating, and even cleaning house.
But the sleeper often has little, or no
recollection of the events when asked.

That's what came to mind as
I was reading Paul's admonition
to the church in Rome...

And do this, knowing the time,
that now it is high time
to awake out of sleep;
for now our salvation is nearer
than when we first believed.
Romans 13:11 NKJV
​
Now it is high time
to awake out of sleep...
Paul must have witnessed some
sleepwalkers in his day

So why would Paul
address people like this?

Let's keep in mind,
back in Paul's day, they were
just off the heels of the crucifixion
and resurrection of Jesus, and were
fully expecting His return any day.

So here, Paul is cautioning
these Romans citizens,
and us as well, that the time of
Jesus return is nearer than before

And here we sit reading
these words of Paul,
centuries have passed, and
still no return of Jesus.

Has our immediacy lagged?
How often do we
contemplate His return?

We rarely speak of it.
We don't have the same
sense of awe and wonder
these people did who
walked in the same dirt and
breathed the same air as Jesus.

It's almost easier for us to
​put it off until tomorrow,
or worse, another lifetime.

But the truth is, as each day passes,
Paul's word is true for us as well.
While we can't say when,
the fact that Jesus' return is
getting nearer, day by day, is true.

So Paul likens them... likens us,
to sleep-walkers.
Because clearly, he's not talking
of the true night when we are in bed.

Paul must have known they were
living in a daze,
walking through life, performing
mundane tasks without much
recollection of what they had done;
living daily lives without significance,
purpose or passion.

Do you ever feel like that?
As if you've gotten through a whole day
and accomplished nothing significant?
Are you ever dazed and confused,
distracted and running on empty?
Maybe like me, you sometimes
feel as if you're sleep-walking
through life, looking for real purpose.

And Paul continues...
The night is far spent,
the day is at hand.
Therefore let us cast off
the works of darkness, and
let us put on the armor of light.
Romans 13:12

Paul was calling these people
to wake up... the night is over.
When Jesus died, there was great
darkness for three days.

But He resurrected from the grave,
He conquered sin and death.
He is the sun and will return again.

We need also to realize that
the night is over; our darkest days
cannot swallow us.

God does not want us to
be consumed by our past,
by what drags us down,
trying to tell us that the night
will overtake us.

Just as Jesus resurrected
to new life so long ago,
He brings us new life, day after day.
Saving us from the night of our past,
assuring us a new day of grace,
with hope in Him!

So this casting off the
works of darkness, means to
lay aside our sinful selfishness.

This is a command to our soul.
Consider it like getting undressed;
stripping off our old self, and
laying it aside and out of reach.

Then, we certainly cannot
walk around in nakedness, so
let us put on the armor of light.

And this "put on," means to
to literally clothe ourselves with it.
But it gives the sense of sinking in,
as if the armor is worn on the inside.

This armor of light, is not just
any normal protective garment.
For the light is one of divine source;
illumination of Jesus, Himself.
He is the light which protects us,
guides us, saves us, warms us, and
enlightens us with wisdom.

This is surely a better way
to walk through the day...
not dazed and asleep,
not missing out on the details,
but recalling all that was done,
purposefully and passionately,
protected by or hope in Him.

Word of God
train me today...
To wake up to the salvation You have given,
casting off the darkness of my flesh.
​
To clothe myself in the armor of light, and
walk properly in purpose and passion You give.