“In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat — for He grants sleep to those He loves.” — Psalm 127:2
God Works When You Stop
I recently finished reading an action-thriller novel by a best-selling author. The lead character of the book is an F.B.I. agent who is also a former world-class athlete. Though she is mentally, physically and emotionally tough and nearly invincible, the author regularly describes her taking a nap or sleeping in her simple apartment after a long day of crime fighting.
Everyone needs sleep, yet some of us work long hours and skimp on sleep thinking that we are the exception. We drink triple espressos or energy drinks to try and make it through our long days, but sleep is a way that we demonstrate our dependence on God.
If we get up at 4 a.m., workout, go to work or school, check the stock market, and then come home and work until late in the night, it’s a waste of time and sweat if we aren’t depending on God. Even when we go to bed and quit working, studying or working out, God keeps working. God provides for us even while we are sleeping.
So when we sleep, we are demonstrating our trust in God. Rather than avoiding rest and sleep, trust God to provide and work for you while you are sleeping.
— Ikki Soma, Houston Rockets chaplain
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