Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together. And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, "Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him." Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed. And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted. Acts 20:7-12

The account of Eutychus falling asleep, falling out of a third story window—and then being raised from the dead—is human, somewhat humorous, and altogether miraculous.

It is human in that most of us have have been overtaken by sleepiness when at church. It happens to the best of us. Sometimes it is almost unavoidable. A sleepless night caring for sick children, or just having a hard time sleeping—these and other factors can contribute to drowsiness even when worshiping the living God.

There are other times when sleepiness in church is preventable. We must sometimes choose between late-night activities, or eating rich foods on Saturday nights—and planning to be alert for church the next morning. Part of listening on Sunday morning is preparing on Saturday evening.

If I had an important job interview early in the morning, I would do everything to be awake, alert, and presentable the previous evening. Do we think less of worshiping the living God?

Tune in next time for the miraculous.