Go...

Robert: age 18
Robert hardly sleeps anymore. He stays up late to get to the next party or drunken adventure. His 'fun' doesn't start till most people are already sleeping. Every night he drinks more and more, to keep himself satisfied. He tells his friends he is really happy and really enjoys life, but when he is alone he holds back tears. He's not even close to his drinking buddies, he sits at home and listens to some music all the while waiting feeling empty, just waiting for the next night ...

Teresa: age 18
Teresa hasn't slept in days. It was a little less than a week ago that she was raped by her best friend. One thing led to the next and boundaries were passed. She tries to cry herself to sleep, but her emotions prevent her from doing so. She feels dirty, guilty, and ashamed. She lies to herself "it was her fault." She can't erase the scars, but she can't move on either ...

Jacob: age 19
Jacob hasn't been sleeping well. He trusted his roommate with his most personal secret. Jacob struggles with homosexuality. Jacob's roommate was so scared, and defensive at his news. His roommate teased him relentlessly, and Jacob stopped going to his dorm. Not having to many other friends he sleeps in the 24 hour computer lab on the couch if the person working the desk doesn't kick him out ...

Coleen: age 23
Coleen gave up sleeping when she had a baby. Being that she is one of the first in her entire family to even go to college, she tries desperately to make all her ends meet. She tries to balance getting a degree, and raising a child by herself. But she isn't sure how long she can keep the game up. The University keeps taking more and more money from her, and she is only able to afford school because of an inheritance. She wonders every night if shes doing what is best for her son...

Zac: age 20
Zac sleeps 'with one eye open' every night. Zac made some awesome Christian friends and has been trying to experience Christianity for himself. But when his father found this out he became very upset. His father never wanted Zac to spend time with these friends. He tells Zac not to return home, and that if he tries to go to his sisters wedding he will hurt him. Zac cries thinking about the choices he has ahead of him ...

Janette:  age 21
Janette tries to sleep often, but never feels rested. She is always exhausted and weak. When she looks in the mirror she is horrified with her body. She doesn't feel perfect, or even pretty. She tells herself that nobody will love her, and that she is so overweight. She forces herself to throw up again, but still doesn't feel any prettier. She is so weak that it seems all she wants to do is sleep now, but she can bring herself to because she is never at peace ...

Dallas: age 18
Dallas decided there is no point in going to sleep your last night on earth. Dallas feels completely disconnected from everything and everyone. Dallas feels homesick, but he tells himself that his parents don't miss him. After he got rejected from Frat he rushed, and the program he applied for, life just didn't make sense. He writes a 'goodbye' letter, and just contemplates if he is 'man enough' to follow through this time ...

Jessica: age 17
Jessica has been pulling all nighters several days in a row.  She has a grades to maintain, classes, meetings. She just wants to make her parents so proud. She downs some energy drinks and starts studying. She ignores her feelings begging her to spend some time with friends. Eat a meal at the union. Go on a nature hike. She drowns them out night after night with books and homework. This will make my family proud she thinks ...

Taylor: age 22
Taylor can't sleep tonight, if he does he could die. There is so much drugs and alcohol in his system right now that willingly going unconscious is a terrible plan. Taylor thinks about the friends, the scholarship and all the money he has lost. He hears sirens and wonders if he will end up in jail or the hospital again. He tells himself he needs to turn his life around, but just doesn't know how to...

Lindsay: age 22
Lindsay doesn't like sleeping anymore. She shares a bed with someone she no longer cares for. Her heart is always torn. She never quite knows what to do. She finds herself living in the 'uncomfortable' but tells her self its 'normal'. She wonders if her bed-mate even loves her, he must, that's why they have been together so long....

Chris: age 21
Chris can't sleep tonight either. Most nights he goes to bed feeling loved, comforted, respected, and secure. But tonight is different. 10 people are on his mind. 10 people which he has neglected to invite to know Jesus. 10 people which are awake right now, not feeling loved, comforted, respected, or secure. 10 people which Chris' has kept a pearl of great price hidden from. 10 people who need Jesus now more than ever. Chris begins to pray for these people, and how to introduce them to Jesus, and how he loves them so...

Jesus: age ∞
Jesus never sleeps. Not while people he loves are hurt. Not while they don't know him. Jesus says to these people "I use the weak to lead the strong, I empower the humble, I lift up the weary, I heal the sick, and mend the broken. I set the captives free, I satisfy all who are thirsty. I am coming back soon and that day I will dry every tear. Come and embrace me who has loved you since before time even began, fall into the arms of the One who died for you." Jesus never stops reveling himself to his people.


What to do with these stories:
Sometimes I find myself thinking that sharing the gospel is hard. I get nervous, and uneasy about what to say. But it is clear to me now that sharing the gospel is not something I have to do, but something I want to do. I think of the pain that 10 real people (names have been changed to protect identities) are experiencing. I take the relationship I have with Jesus Christ for granted. I forget how desperate I am for sweet grace. I think back to three long years ago before I knew Jesus. I think of my own pain and hurt, and I know my friends are feeling even worse. So no more will I conceal who Jesus is. No more will I be to scared to invite my friends to know him. No more will worry about what to say. This world won't sleep till everyone knows Jesus, and Jesus won't sleep till everyone knows him.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirits" Matthew (28:19)