Joyful Moments in Christ

As an American accustomed to screened windows and strict balcony codes, the idea of one of my children falling out of a window seemed ludicrous—until I visited Germany one summer. Upon entering our hotel room, my three-year-old son flew across the room to the open window, leaned his entire body out, propped his stomach on the windowsill with his feet dangling off the ground, and peered down three floors to the busy pedestrian street below. Terrifying! Fortunately, I managed to grab him, without startling him, and get him back on his feet before anything tragic happened.

A Window Seat with Consequences

Every time I read the story of Eutychus in Acts 20, I think of that German windowsill. It would have been a lovely place to sit, perhaps to read a Bible or listen to a sermon. Unfortunately for Eutychus, he chose such a precarious spot while feeling quite tired:

On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead.

Acts 20:7-9 (ESV)

I’m not entirely sure how old Eutychus was, but he was certainly old enough to understand the dangers of sitting in a window. I can’t help but wonder: How many times did he nod off and catch himself before succumbing to a deep sleep? Was Paul discussing something so profound that Eutychus wanted to stay engaged but simply couldn’t fight his exhaustion and fatigue? Or had Paul drifted into topics that failed to capture Eutychus’ attention? Regardless, the result was catastrophic. Eutychus fell and was presumed dead.

A Miraculous Recovery

Whenever my family sits in the balcony at church, I’m reminded of Eutychus’ story. I have had visions of small children experiencing a similar fate. Thankfully, Eutychus’ fall wasn’t the end of his story.

But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.

Acts 20:10-12 (ESV)

Paul miraculously healed Eutychus and then promptly returned to his extended conversation. One might hope that the others in attendance opted to avoid the windows after that incident! Midnight until daybreak is a long time to stay engaged, but perhaps Eutychus’ experience helped refocus the group’s attention on Paul’s words.

Staying Spiritually Vigilant

As we remember the story of Eutychus, it is easy to zero in on the dramatic fall, but really, we should consider all of the other spiritual pitfalls that we might face. As soon as we lose our ability to stay alert, the devil will attempt to slip into the cracks.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)

We might not be literally sitting in a window during a late-night sermon, but we might be teetering on a different edge, lulled into a sense of false security by routine or weariness. Perhaps it’s the edge of spiritual complacency, where our prayers become rote and our Bible reading feels more like a checklist than a connection with God. Or maybe it’s the edge of distraction, where the busyness of life pulls our focus away from what truly matters.

God’s Grace in Our Weakness

In these moments, the risks are real. Like Eutychus, we may not notice the danger until it’s too late. But God’s grace meets us in our weakness. Just as Paul was there to restore Eutychus, God often places people or situations in our lives to pull us back from the brink.

Whether it’s a friend’s timely encouragement, a sermon that speaks directly to our heart, or a moment of conviction during prayer, these are reminders that God is always working to rescue and restore us.

Helping Others Stay Awake

We should also consider how God might use us to help others. Are we paying attention to those around us who might be spiritually drowsy? As we watch our brothers and sisters in Christ struggle, we have an opportunity to extend a hand, offering support and encouragement. Sometimes, our role is to help others stay vigilant, pointing out the dangers they might not see and reminding them of the hope and strength we have in Christ.

Perseverance in the Faith

Eutychus’ story is also a call to perseverance. Paul’s speech continued until dawn, a reminder as to the endurance required in faith and life. Similarly, we will face moments when staying alert feels difficult, even overwhelming. Yet, the grace of God sustains us, giving us the strength to keep going. The dangers of falling are real, but so is the comfort and restoration that God provides—both for Eutychus and for us.

Reflection Questions

1. In what areas of your life do you struggle to stay spiritually vigilant, and how can you address these challenges?
2. Are there “windowsills” in your life where you’re taking unnecessary risks or becoming complacent?
3. How has God used others to rescue or guide you during times of spiritual weariness or distraction?
4. Who in your life might need your encouragement or support to avoid spiritual pitfalls?
5. What practices can help you persevere in faith during long or difficult seasons?
6. What does Eutychus’ story teach you about God’s grace and his ability to restore us when we fall?

Reflective Prayer

Consider using these verses to pray using the ACTS method: Adoration, Confession, Thankfulness, and Supplication:

• Adoration: Praise God. Do these verses bring any specific characteristics of God to mind?
• Confession: Tell God that you are sorry for specific sins. Do these verses bring any specific sins to mind?
• Thankfulness: Show gratitude towards God. Does anything from these verses inspire gratitude?
• Supplication: Make requests for yourself and for others. Does anything from these verses inspire a prayer?

If helpful, you can use a prayer journal template.

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Related Resources

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English Standard Version (ESV): Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.