This week, I have slept more than a toddler. Now before you say, “Must be nice!” hear me out. I am not a good sleeper. I have trouble both falling and staying asleep. Insomnia has become a way of life for me for more than a decade.
So, imagine my surprise when I woke up one morning realizing I’d slept all night. What an accomplishment! Then, after a few hours of work, I was exhausted and had to take a nap – not a cat nap mind you, but like a two hour nap! This repeated nearly every day this week.
I’ve no idea what triggered this Rip Van Winkle sleep pattern, but I pray it continues.
Interestingly, several teachings I listened to this week spoke about rest. Not just sleeping but also resting in the knowledge that God has everything under control. He’s taking care of everything. No need to fret. Let Him do His job.
One teaching was about the prophet Elijah found in 1 Kings. A quick summary: Elijah had just come from a huge battle, had run twenty miles, and afterwards received a message that his life was in danger. So he hid under a tree and went to sleep. Look what happens next:
“Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.” Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again.
And the angel of the Lord came back the second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.” So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God.” (1 Kings 19:5-8 NKJV)
What can we learn from this passage?
- First, when we work hard, we need to rest and eat.
- Second, God knows exactly what we need.
- Third, God will provide for us.
We live in a culture that rewards busyness. We wear it as a badge of honor because it signifies importance or worthiness. That is, if you’re not busy, you must not be of value. You’re lazy.
Truth be told, that’s exactly how I felt this week – lazy, unproductive. I’m used to going nonstop. I don’t know how to be anything else. However, I believe God was trying to show me that I need to sloooowww down, to take a break.
And while I didn’t eat cake, I did treat myself to a few things I don’t normally eat. I also walked almost every day since we are going through a nice weather pattern. This allowed me to appreciate the beauty of the season, listen for God’s voice, and even catch a glimpse of this cross in a heart during my walk.
Maybe, like me, you’ve been going nonstop with your hair on fire for what feels like forever. Maybe you are approaching burning out. I believe God wants you to take a break – whether it’s a weekend away or simply going to bed earlier.
Remember, God took a day off after He completed His work of creation. (Genesis 2:2-3) No, He didn’t sleep (God doesn’t need to!), but rather He did this to show us that it’s ok to rest. In fact, God blessed the day of rest so we can know that when we rest, we can see God’s blessings.
God might not deliver a cake to you but He’ll give you whatever you need. Sweet dreams!