Great2Greatest: Eutychus the sleeping leader?

Eutychus was a young man in the Bible, Acts 20:7–12, who was in the room the night Paul and Luke came to town.

Eutychus was there listening to these apostles preach late into the night in Troas. Sitting in an open window on the third floor, he fell asleep, fell off the window stoop and out the opening, hit the ground, and died. Paul raced down, embraced him, and God restored him to life, which greatly encouraged those who just witnessed this.

But where was Luke? He was the noted physician? He should have been the first one to arrive at the seen of the fall? Luke writes about the event from his perspective as the narrator of Acts 20:9. In that verse, he makes a clinical observation of the condition of the body, writing that Eutychus was "taken up

dead".

We never see his name mentioned again in the Bible. What brought Eutychus to this meeting? What was he looking for? Was he fully aware of what Paul and Luke's mission was? Maybe 'Yes' to all of these question.

Remember he just hit the ground from the third floor. Revived. Then, we never hear what happens to his life after this.

He fell asleep. Not a good sign of his enthusiasm or energy. Why did he fall asleep? Was he at one time noticing his life alive spiritually with a hunger for more of what these famous teachers had to share more of? Was he married, and his wife really didn't care that he still was not home? Or, was he burnt out, on his last leg, about to throw his hands up and walk away?

Here's Luke, the healthcare expert, determining that Eutychus is dead! Did he do this from the room they were all assembled in (from the third story)?

Give up, the experts tell us this is dead.

What we can learn:

• Spiritual hunger is good, but human limits are real: fatigue can catch anyone—plan for rest and safe settings. We need 6 to 8 hours of sleep per night.

• Small practical choices matter: where we place ourselves (literally and figuratively) can increase or reduce risk. Not to mention our energy.

• God restores and encourages: this miracle strengthened the church and renewed their courage to keep going. Imagine what a small miracle does for you and those around you.

Maybe what we need right about now is a revival - mentally, physically, spiritually?Maybe, that leadership ability you had needs a little resuscitation? Maybe, the expert, who so eloquently pronounced you dead is DEAD WRONG!

• A lesson for leaders (from Paul): Paul didn’t shame Eutychus —he responded with calm, compassion, and responsibility. Leaders should care for people over the program, create safe, attentive environments, and be ready to step in and restore when someone stumbles. a.k.a., Investing in your people (your child, your spouse).

• A lesson in running the race (from Paul): Even after the interruption, Paul kept going and his mission, the church, was strengthened (Acts 20:24; 20:7–12). The Leadership life is about endurance, and pace: stay focused on the mission, don’t quit when setbacks happen. Be careful who you let speak into your life and sell themselves as an expert to your life's quest.

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