A little sleep, a little rest, folding your arms, and taking a nap—these things will make you poor very quickly. Soon you will have nothing, as if a thief broke in and took everything away.
Proverbs 24:33-34 ERV
Have you ever wondered why great men and women sometimes fall into the trap of complacency and missed opportunities? Looking back again on the testimony that God gave about David at the point of his election, it’s crucial to reevaluate the quiet and subtle path that led to the ‘slumber’ of great men made and enthroned for exploit. Meanwhile, it often appears that those who eventually fall into the devil’s trap didn’t initially intend to defy God. In fact, many times, the initial steps that led to their downfall might not even seem sinful. The subtle descent into mediocrity begins with a seemingly harmless desire for rest and relaxation.
Consider the case of King David, a man after God’s own heart. When chosen by the Lord, David made a solemn vow to build a house for God. He declared in Psalm 132:2-5 (ERV): “I will not go into my house or lie down on my bed. I will not sleep or let my eyes rest, until I find a home for the LORD, a tent for the Mighty God of Jacob!”. However, how did this fervent oath-taker become the man who, when he should have been at war, found himself in a state of spiritual slumber, eventually leading to his sin with Bathsheba? He was only going to take a ‘nap’, but then he ended up sleeping with another man’s wife.
You say, “I need a rest. I think I’ll take a short nap.” But then you sleep and sleep and become poorer and poorer. Soon you will have nothing. It will be as if a thief came and stole everything you owned.
Proverbs 6:10-11 ERV
Often, this descent into complacency doesn’t begin with overt sin. It can start as a simple desire for rest or leisure, a “short nap” as Proverbs 6:10-11 describes. But if we don’t remain vigilant, it can lead to spiritual stagnation and missed opportunities for God’s work in our lives.
Perhaps, initially, all you sought was a little ‘rest,’ just a “short nap.” But examine your life closely, as you might have unknowingly drifted into this perilous error. Are you not already on the path of what was supposed to be a “short nap”?
So, if we persist in our spiritual slumber, the enemy will not hesitate to steal everything we hold dear. He won’t stop until he inflicts irreparable damage. The story of Samson serves as a stark reminder. His momentary lapse in vigilance led to the loss of his power, symbolised by the his hair. Meanwhile, the enemy ensured to pluck out his eyes—a loss from which there was no recovery. Even though the hair can grow again, which did happen, but not the eyes. It was a fatal destruction.
In our pursuit of God’s purpose and calling, let us be mindful of the subtle descent into complacency that can occur when we seek “a little rest.” A moment’s relaxation can turn into a prolonged spiritual slumber if we’re not careful. Rest is essential, but prolonged spiritual slumber can be perilous. May we stay vigilant, guarding against the thief who seeks to steal our spiritual riches. Remember, it’s not the initial sleep but the failure to awaken and strengthen what remains that can lead to irreparable loss. Stay awake, stay vigilant, and stay faithful to your calling.
