As avid supporters of the Protestant work ethic, we know that God calls His people to work, and that all good, honest work honors God—regardless of the vocation. The lazy slacker is repeatedly condemned in both the Old and New Testaments as being foolish and irresponsible. However, we must not forget that God also calls His people to rest. God designed us to sleep one-third of each day. The Ten Commandments include remembering to rest one day each week and not do any work nor compel others to work. The Lord’s wisdom, understanding, creative power, and grace allow us to walk in safety and enjoy a sweet sleep (Proverbs 3). God calls His beloved to lie down and sleep because He watches over us, He guarantees our safety, and He secures our future (Psalms 4 & 127). So, how important is consistent, good, and restful sleep?
In his book, Why We Sleep, Matthew Walker makes the case that sleep is one of the most important and currently neglected aspects of our health. Surveys show that up to half of all adults don’t get enough sleep. Walker cites many studies that indicate insufficient sleep contributes to chronic health problems including depression, cancer, obesity, diabetes, digestive disorders, dementia, and poor immune health. Neglecting sleep undercuts our creativity, problem solving, decision-making, learning, memory, heart health, brain health, mental health, emotional well-being, immune system, and even our life span. Even one or two nights of poor sleep can have tragic consequences. The number of road-traffic accidents attributed to tiredness is greater than the number attributed to alcohol and drugs combined. Today, insufficient rest and overwork are often driven by the desire for affluence, power, and prestige not merely for the necessities of life. Entertainment, social media, and other amusements can also compete with quality sleep time.
Just like the rest of us, Jesus experienced hunger, thirst, and tiredness. And when He was tired from a long journey or a day of ministry, Jesus rested and slept. Sleep is a nightly reminder of our frailty. David Mathis of Desiring God ministries asks the provocative question, “Do You Sleep Less Than Jesus?” Neglecting sleep, avoiding the Sabbath rest, and failing to relax are signs of spiritual immaturity and a drift toward practical atheism; living as if there is no God or as if God need not factor into our decisions. There will be times when we sacrifice sleep to meet the needs of others or for an extended time of prayer. But when we repeatedly short-change our sleep needs, we are living in rebellion to God’s design for us and we will pay the price with poorer health. Jesus’ invitation, “Come to me, and I will give you rest” includes both physical and spiritual rest as we trust Him more and more (Matthew 11). So tonight, take the time to enjoy the sweet sleep God promises and thank Him for His care and protection that allows us time to rest and be restored each night.