What Does Your Sleep Say About Your Walk with God?
We often flinch at the word discipline, even though we know discipline is good for us. And when it comes to spiritual disciples, well, those are seriously needed and vital. When we talk about spiritual disciplines, what comes to mind?
- Bible reading and study
- Prayer
- Fasting
- Giving
- Worship
- Ministry
These are all good, but did you also think of the discipline of solitude? Yep, let’s add one more to our list of spiritual disciplines.
- Solitude and Silence
We lead busy lives. Many of us (i.e., me) attempt to tackle these spiritual disciplines while we’re on the go. I pray while I’m driving. I read Scripture while I’m waiting for my doctor’s appointment. And ministry has me on the go. But there is incredible value in stopping … doing nothing … basking in the quiet and solitude … just thinking about God.
Wasn’t that the original intent behind a Sabbath rest? A day devoted to rest and worship. But today, that day is just another day of go, go, go. Sure, we may attend a worship service, but then we’re off to a soccer game, the golf course, or the couch for an afternoon of cheering for a team and yelling at refs.
Sometimes we’re leery of slowing down. We’ve got things to do! I’ve got to stay on top of this at work because, if I don’t, someone else will—and then where will I be? Then there’s FOMO: the fear of missing out. To state that positively: there is so much of life to experience, and I don’t want to miss it!
Unfortunately, I think we’re missing more of life because we don’t slow down, come to a complete stop, and just bask in a good dose of silence and solitude. It comes down to a trust in God. Am I willing to trust God with my schedule? Am I willing to stop and just bask in His presence in silence and solitude?
Do I trust God?
If this sounds like a hard step to make, let’s start here. Sleep. Your nightly sleep is a good first practice of solitude and silence. Your ability to lay down, close your eyes, and drift off to sleep without rehearsing the day’s events, check-listing the next day’s activities, or worrying about it all is a good indicator of how thoroughly you trust in God.
King David had a lot to keep him up at night. When he wrote Psalm 3, there was danger and uncertainty all around him, yet he was able to say,
“I lie down and sleep; I wake again because the Lord sustains me (Ps. 3:5).
His rest and trust in God were also expressed in Psalm 4.
“I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, Lord, make me live in safety” (Ps. 4:8).
When your head hits the pillow tonight, close your eyes with a prayer. A prayer of thanks for the day. A prayer of trust for tomorrow. And in the quietness and solitude, reflect on the goodness and graciousness of the One who loves you deeply.
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28).
Banner photo by Matthew Henry on Unsplash
