I've heard a couple of rather serious thinkers suggest that the world would be a much better place if everybody stopped for a few hours each afternoon to take a nap. I always thought that the comments were made in jest, but today I'm not quite so sure. I took a nap this afternoon and discovered that it was surprisingly refreshing and energizing. The whole world looked different when I woke up.
Molly slept a lot this week when she was home. Noticing that, Julie and I remembered back to when we were students. When breaks in the semester came, we wanted nothing more than to sleep. At that point in our lives, we knew exactly why sleep was needed, but today both Julie and I wondered why we were so tired. Whatever the reason, we enjoyed napping, and even Shadow seemed to buy in to the afternoon's agenda.
In my view, sleep is one of the most trusting things we can do. It might have looked like we were simply being lazy this afternoon, but really we were trusting God.
Sleep is an expression of trust in God, because sleep can happen only when we stop working, striving, trying, doing. In sleep, we acknowledge that it's not up to us. In sleep, we give up control. In sleep, whether we mean to or not, we place everything - even our own lives - in God's hands. Yes, we assume that we'll wake up after we sleep - but if we do it's only because of God's grace.
From time to time, I have trouble sleeping. When that happens, I actually understand the reason. It's because I won't let go, won't give up control, won't stop. I realize how foolish that is, but sleep is a trusting concession that isn't always easy.
For some reason, God seems to think that sleep is a good idea. Even more than that, God seems to think that it's necessary. Certainly, we need to sleep for physical reasons - but I suspect that the spiritual reasons are even more important.
In any case, my nap this afternoon felt great. I woke up restored. Even better, what a great way to express my trust in God. Believe it or not, I went to sleep and the world carried on just fine without me. For a little while, God did just fine without my help. And I bet he will be able to handle things fine without my help when it's time to go to sleep tonight.
When today comes to an end, I will worship God . . . and acknowledge his power . . . simply by going to sleep. In sleep, I will declare my trust in God.
Who knew that worship could be so easy?
From time to time, I have trouble sleeping. When that happens, I actually understand the reason. It's because I won't let go, won't give up control, won't stop. I realize how foolish that is, but sleep is a trusting concession that isn't always easy.
For some reason, God seems to think that sleep is a good idea. Even more than that, God seems to think that it's necessary. Certainly, we need to sleep for physical reasons - but I suspect that the spiritual reasons are even more important.
In any case, my nap this afternoon felt great. I woke up restored. Even better, what a great way to express my trust in God. Believe it or not, I went to sleep and the world carried on just fine without me. For a little while, God did just fine without my help. And I bet he will be able to handle things fine without my help when it's time to go to sleep tonight.
When today comes to an end, I will worship God . . . and acknowledge his power . . . simply by going to sleep. In sleep, I will declare my trust in God.
Who knew that worship could be so easy?