“Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;
    stay awake and you will have food to spare.”

At first, we were reminded of the sluggard and the farmer who ‘doesn’t plow in season’, 20:4.  We spent some time talking about the ways we love sleep.  My youngest is a big fan and usually is the last one up in the morning.  Specifically, we focused on ways that bring no increase to our lives.  Even though we need the rest sleep gives, in the light of other proverbs about the sluggard, we understood this idea of the love of sleep as bringing nothing beneficial to our lives.  My kids brought up video games which absorb hours of life with nothing to show for it.  Besides being entertained for the time invested, I couldn’t really argue.  Their point was valid.  We live in a culture addicted to entertainment, some good and helpful, but most not.  My kids already talk about looking back on their past and wanting to see more than a list of video games that they beat.

Then we focused on how Jesus fulfilled this proverb and we were immediately swept up in the imagery of sleep from the prophets of old, the mouthpieces of God.  Isaiah 60:1 speaks to a despondent nation due to their disobedience to the laws of God.  A Hope is given, one that comes to fulfill what the hearts of man cannot,

“Arise, shine, for your light has come,
    and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.”

The apostle Paul speaks again of this in the complete fulfillment of God’s plan, Ephesians 5.  Jesus comes to bring light to our darkened lives, a light fulfilled by the Holy One of God.

“But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper,
    rise from the dead,
    and Christ will shine on you.”

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

Sometimes, like my son, we need help to wake up.  Praise be to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who alone is the Light that wakes us from our sleep.  May we awaken to the vast treasures that “can never perish, spoil, or fade”, 1 Peter 1:4, kept in heaven for us.