Several years ago, while undergoing radiotherapy, I was given what I once described as “information overload”. However, over a few days, I read everything in the various documents and became interested in one particular phrase. “If you feel tired, the best thing is to get up and do something.” This was the opposite of what I thought should happen until one day I tried it. My wife had gone out to a meeting, and feeling tired, I thought I would try sleeping in my chair until that phrase came to mind. So, getting up, I went into the garden, trimmed the lawn edges and cut the grass and an hour later went back indoors feeling much more alive.
The Gospel writers, Mark and Luke, both record the incident with Jairus’ daughter and I was interested when reading Mark’s account (chapter 5 verse 39). It says, “He (Jesus) went in and said to them, ‘Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.
Now I also know, from experience, that sleep is very good for you. Living with someone who has an irritating cough means that sleep will give temporary respite to the patient and the carer. I suppose my conclusion is that sleep may be good for you, or not, depending on the circumstances.
Have I, or you, ever felt too tired to go to a meeting, but attended, and returned home feeling so much better?
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the benefits of sleep but may we never do so if our time will be better occupied doing something else. Please grant us the wisdom to know the difference. AMEN