There are some movies that seem to live on through the one-liners that stick with us. In our family, when someone says, “Run Forest, run!” or “We don’t need no stinking burros,” smiles and laughter follow. One that instantly has us cracking up is from a scene in “Shanghai Noon” - Jackie Chan climbs up on a horse to get away from some bad guys after drinking a bit too much. The horse evidently found a way to indulge in the spirits as well and both fall to the ground in a stupor. Laying there beside his horse, Jackie Chan says, “Horsey sleepy.” His getaway was impeded.
In my family, this became motivation to never be in a situation where my kids could say, even kiddingly, “Daddy sleepy.” But after a long day, it can happen – Dad can be physically tired, emotionally drained and spiritually checked out. The key for a dad is to understand the influence he is under when that happens. It is an evil influence and it is to be rebuked immediately in the name of Jesus the Christ. Don’t be sleepy! Kids need dads that are awake and engaged in raising a Godly generation.
Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you … He who overcomes will be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before My Father. – Revelation 3:2-3 & 5. The church in Sardis was sleepy. They had tuned out what had been received and heard – Society was influencing the church more than the church was influencing the society. “Strengthen what remains” speaks to how they had drifted from their personal, passionate relationship with Christ. The “deeds” have to do with how one carries His love forward in marriage, family and beyond, to “… love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12). This is what has been received and heard. Now is the time to obey and turn from the worldly influences. The call is to love as Christ loves but many are too sleepy to turn from worldly influences that distract. Those that “Wake up!” have much to look forward to.
Historically, in times of war the enemy was clear, battle strategies were implemented and a victor emerged. Today the enemy is well disguised, battle strategies are weak at best and the evil one is notching up victories in families across the nation. In large part, dads fail to recognize the BATTLE of our lifetime. This brings to mind another one-liner - In “Gladiator” Russell Crowe’s character, Maximus, told his troops going into battle, “What we do in life echoes through eternity.” Daddy sleepy or awake? What echoes in your home? A generation is in the balance.
Prayer guide: Thank You Lord for the wake-up call. I confess I have been a sleepy Christian in my home and church. I have tolerated worldly influences to the point of granting the world more influence in my home and over my family than I have granted You. Forgive me. Give me strength to rebuke sleepiness in my life, the clarity to recognize the enemy for who he is and the boldness to step forward in the battle before me. Be glorified through my personal, passionate and growing relationship with You. Keep me wide awake as a battle-ready Christian in marriage, family and beyond. Amen.
A faithful father rebukes sleepiness and steps boldly forward in BATTLE.
