07 October 2008 Devotion for Today “The Snooze Button” Romans 13:11-14

I think one of the most dangerous features ever to be installed on an alarm clock is what we call the “Snooze Button.” They are just too conveniently poised for disaster. One morning, several years ago now, we had one of those digital alarm clocks next to our bed. It was also a clock-radio complete with a large “Snooze Button” affixed at the top of the device. Snooze buttons are nice if you do not have to get up and be to work at a certain hour in the morning, and if you have the leisure or the luxury of not having to jump out of bed and rush off somewhere. The snooze button has a psychological effect upon the user, making the slumberer think that he always has just five minutes more to lay in the bed before it goes off again. Many of these devices have intermittent timing. Some will repeatedly go off every 3-5 minutes, but not all of them do this as I discovered. One Sunday morning, a few days after the purchase of our new clock, I awoke to the sound of the alarm which was timed to go off at 5:00AM It is almost obligatory that I awaken at this time on Sundays, because there is much that needs to be done prior to the morning worship service at the church where I serve as pastor. As part of my normal Sunday morning routine I will pray for a while, go over my message, put the finishing touches on a Sunday School lesson, put the finishing touches on my evening Bible study so I get to take a nap on Sunday afternoon, etc. That Sunday morning, the snooze button did not sound again until about 8:00AM! Thankfully it was time enough for me to get ready, but it was not time enough to go over all the things I needed to do. It nearly struck panic within me because it put a lot more stress in my life than it was designed to take away.

There is another snooze button of sorts going on all the time of magnormous proportions. The clock has been sounding, but America keeps groggily rolling over and switching it off. We have been living beyond our means, indulging in sin, and pretty much living for ourselves for many, many years. Each time we are living beyond God’s standards, or beyond our means- an alarm sounds. Rather than address it, however, we would pretend that we don’t have to deal with it right then, but can slumber a few minutes more. The latest financial crisis is just such an example. Some government leaders have been concerned about how Americans have been led to believe we can all live beyond our means in houses we cannot afford. An alarm goes off within our hearts, yet we convince ourselves that if others who have less income than we can afford a bigger home than us, then why not sign on the dotted line? We hit the snooze button believe we will wake up long before it is necessary for us to do so. Now here we are, caught unprepared- all because of the snooze button installed within our hearts.

The Apostle Paul warned us about hitting the snooze button long before it was invented:

“And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” (Romans 13:11-14)

This is no time to be living for ourselves, Paul tells us. Its time to get up- its time to wake up because all of the signs are pointing to our Lord’s return. Are we going to be ready, or are we going to be caught still in bed? With every hit of the snooze button, we delude ourselves into thinking we still have time to do what God wants us to do. We don’t- the time is upon us even now. It is time to get dressed- putting on the armor of light. It takes time to put on the character of Jesus Christ, so winging it at the last moment or skimming by will never do. We need time to get ready if we are to do so properly.

So next time you are tempted to hit the snooze button that’s the time to get up and do the will of God in your life. Do this and you will have satisfaction that you accomplished something, and that you will be ready for when Jesus Christ returns.

Have a blessed day!