While You Were Sleeping

The screen began to blur as I shifted in my heated recliner seat. The theater was cozy and dark, with the smell of fresh popcorn wafting through the vents--but I had no fondness for The Lego Movie; it was a sacrificial Friday night indeed. On that Valentine's Day in 2014, James and I decided to mark the occasion by loving my son well; it proved to be more than I could endure.

I still remember Corbin's laughter as the credits rolled and he playfully tapped my shoulder; I had snoozed through it all. James described an adorable (and almost angelic) sound, while Corbin did not hold back on the snoring pig references. To my absolute horror, that Sunday, my pastor described an unmistakably familiar scenario, using the cautionary tale to anchor a sermon called "Don't Sleep Through the Move of God!"

I live in a state of perpetual overload, and this means that stress-induced migraines sometimes send me to bed, stealing productive days from my calendar. When they strike, they have no empathy or regard for convenience. But the reality is that sleep was the best medicine for me. Rest should never be reserved for a crisis, and yet, how often do we lose precious sleep due to anxiety or worry? Insomniacs, just watch the news for a real nightmare...

The fondest Christmas memories often involve staying up well past bedtime sharing laughter, traditions, and stories--or trading slumber for a possible glimpse of Santa by the chimney. The elusive gift of zzz's can evoke a plethora of emotions. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus chided the disciples in Gethsemane for falling asleep when He needed them the most. The likely reality is that they were exhausted from sorrow and prayer; their flesh was weak.

Consider this fact: When Jesus went to the home of Jairus to visit the man's sick daughter, He was confronted with a mourning crowd. The girl had passed away, and hope had now conceded to despair. Luke 8:52 recounts that Jesus said, “Don't cry. She is not dead; she is only sleeping.” Although dead and sleeping are definitely NOT synonymous, faith made a demand that day. Your faith intersects with God's supply, resuscitating situations that have flatlined!

Dawn is a strange time of day. Don't you agree? It's that transition from night to day--just before the sun peeks over the horizon. I am not usually alert enough to bear witness to this phenomenon, but I trust the experts. Mary Magdalene wasted no time getting to the tomb on that Sunday. It was dawn. I surmise that most of Jesus' followers were still in bed nursing their heartache. Perhaps they were full of regret as they replayed the Crucifixion in their minds, wishing they had intervened. If only they had been more courageous.

Sleep is not the diabolical enemy of progress. It is that in-between state where the body conducts essential repairs; it is a time for restoration. So, what happened while most people were sleeping? The Resurrection happened and grave clothes gave way to glory. This Easter, be encouraged knowing that God is at work behind the scenes. Heaven is on duty 24/7, so you can take the night off. The stone has been rolled away and the Son is rising! He's alive!

Psalms 121:4 (MSG)

Not on your life! Israel's Guardian will never doze or sleep.