Sleeping to the Glory of God
It seems so strange to me that Jesus would be found asleep in the back of the boat during a storm. I don’t know about you, but I get tense when wind and wave start to increase and I beginning thinking about safety and shore.
Sleeping is actually a spiritual act for if we do not allow our body and mind to rest we are going against what the Creator intended. Now it makes a difference when we sleep—behind the wheel, during a more intense conversation with spouse or friend, or during a sermon certainly is dangerous in the first place, ill advised in the second, and a unique critique in the third place!
We need our rest in order to be our best. Machines cannot continue to operate indefinitely if the needle is constantly in the red so why would we think that we will not be harmed if we avoid, or at least diminish the need for good relaxation and sleep?
Have you ever thought of sleep being an act of spirituality? We have been fearfully and wonderfully made by a God who loves us and who wants us to be as healthy as we can be. This means to have a balance between being on the go and giving ourselves time to recover and recuperate. All of our “systems”—our body, mind, and spirit function as they were intended when that balance can be kept and honored.
Apparently, Jesus needed rest as the boat was crossing the lake and he responded to that need. May we be mindful of our need as well.
Prayer:
God grant us rest so we might serve you in all the ways we can. Amen
Pastor Jerry
Tomorrow: Spending to the Glory of God
