I didn't say it was boring, but...

"A young man named Eutychus, who was sitting in the window, began to sink off into a deep sleep while Paul talked still longer. Over come by sleep, he feel to the ground three floors below and was picked up dead."

(Acts 20:9)

I'm guessing we've all done it. If you've spent any amount of time in church, you're guilty. Even pastors do it. Sleep in church. Not intentionally, of course. Sometimes, it's because we've had a busy week... or we stayed up late the night before... or we find ourselves especially relaxed (okay, maybe not that). Then again, at other times, it's primarily due to the lack of interest in the speaker's message (and I can say that because I'm a preacher). There's even a crazy story in the Bible about someone who fell asleep during a sermon - and the disastrous effects that ensued.

Paul was preaching in Troas when his sermon went on long into the night. He was sitting in a window sill on the 3rd floor when he dozed off. Unfortunately, he then fell to the ground floor... dead. This could have been a tragic story, but Paul intervened and brought the young man back to life. Then Paul had dinner with the rest of the people, and continued to talk together with them.

It's a strange story to include in Scripture, isn't it? I'm sure originally, it was intended to show Paul's connection tot he power of God. But I find it somewhat comforting to know that sleeping during sermons isn't a new phenomenon. As a pastor, I've seen many people sleeping in church. Instead of being hurt or upset, I'm grateful that they were present to begin with (they could have stayed home and slept!). I also like how Paul didn't scold Eutychus for falling asleep (after he brought him back to life, of course).

Bodies get tired. We need rest and renewal. We also need spiritual renewal and inspiration. Sometimes, we get both in church. lol. At least that's how it has been for centuries. So be it.