Sleep

It's an odd question until we remember how disciplined John Wesley was in every area of his life. He wasn't called a "methodist" by mistake. There was a method to everything he did and especially in the way he exercised his faith in Jesus Christ. Still, it's a strange question to ask a small group. In fact, I can't say that I've ever asked any of my small groups or accountability groups this question. It's the twelfth question in his list of twenty-two:

Did I get to bed on time and get up on time?

What in the world does that have to do with anyone's spiritual growth and development? Why does it matter what time I go to bed or what time I get up?

Three things come to mind. First of all, this seemingly simple thing says much about our discipline in life. For Wesley getting up "on time" and spending the first part of the day with God in prayer and Bible reading was crucial to his day, to his life. To "oversleep" would mean missing at least some of that most critical part of the day. I know there are days when I do sleep too late and I, being one who really needs to start the day in prayer, feel "off" all day long if I just rush into my first appointment or obligation. We need a discipline for spending time with God, and getting up on time allows for that.

The second thing that comes to mind are the repeated research studies that say we (adults) need 7-8 hours of sleep a night. When we don't get that, our bodies are tired, and it's not stretching too much to think Wesley might tell us we will be useless to God if we're worn out. Rest is essential if we are going to do the things God has called us to do. Besides that, rest is a gift from God. Psalm 127:2 says, "In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves."

And finally, sleep is an act of faith, because by going to sleep and leaving the undone things to the next day, we are trusting that when we're asleep, God can handle things. In our rest and in our sleep we are acknowledging that God is God and we are not. He will be up through the night and he can run the world without us. The same idea rests behind the gift of Sabbath, a day out of seven when we cease from working and striving. It's an act of trust that God can handle things, which is probably why we are so bad at the practice of Sabbath. We really don't believe God can run the world without our input. (How did God get along for so many millennia without us, anyway?) Rest is an act of trust that the God who created the universe is big enough to handle things.

So...what time are you going to bed tonight?

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A song by Michael Card...based on Psalm 127:2...

Today was so full
and so busy for both of us,
But for tonight 
all our burdens can keep.
Come let sweet Jesus
be the light in your darkness
And open the way 
to the paradise of sleep.

For He grants sleep 
to the ones that He loves,
And I live to love you as well.
The last words you'll hear tonight
will be, "I love you,"
For love takes us all of 
our lifetime to tell.

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