While it's cute to watch a baby fall asleep, it's absolutely hilarious when you see it happen to an adult!  

1 Thessalonians 4.13-5.11

Reference:  v. 5.6  So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, butlet us be alert and self-controlled. (NIV Bible)

Application:  We were babysitting an eight-month-old baby the other night.  When it was her bedtime I had the pleasure of rocking her in my arms until she drifted off to sleep.  There is nothing quite like a sleeping baby.  But I love to watch them the few moments before they are asleep.  Their eyes gradually start to droop and when they shut fully they will quickly open them again, as if to say, 'I'm not asleep, I'm not tired.'  But slowly their lids will start to close again until finally their whole body becomes limp.  While it's cute to watch this happen to a baby, it's absolutely hilarious when you see it happen to an adult!  Those warm conference sessions after lunch can be a killer!
I get the feeling that this passage is talking about two types of 'asleep'.  On one hand there are those who have 'fallen asleep' and gone to be with the Lord and on the other hand there are those who are 'asleep' as in those who are ignorant and living in darkness to the salvation in Christ.

Explore:  It is sad when people sleep through their lives.  I don't mean that their eyes are droopy and they spend most of their time in bed.  People can sleep through their lives whenever they are not living to their full potential.  I think Christians and non-Christians alike can live like that.  If we are just wading through life and not living with passion and purpose, then we too are 'asleep'.  There are always times when we need routine and consolidation - there are also times when we do actually need to sleep! - but if we have no vision or purpose to what we are doing then it's like we are asleep.
God has blessed us with so much.  He calls each and every one of us to live for Him.  His path is not always easy but it gives us purpose and vision for a better tomorrow.

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for all you have done for us and given to us.  Let us not waste these precious gifts by sleeping through our lives.  Amen.

 How 'awake' or 'asleep' are you right now?  What would help you to live a life that is wide awake for God?