Sleep

We often hear that many people (perhaps ourselves included) do not sleep enough. I am not sure I do - I think an extra hour a night would probably be good for me. But, just like the glass of water which I just got up and drank, sleep is basic.

Psalm 127 mentions this:

It is in vain that you hasten to rise up early
and go so late to rest, eating the bread of toil, •
for he gives his beloved sleep.

You can work your fingers to the bone, says the Psalmist, but God is not very interested in incessant business. Will it look like laziness? Perhaps - after all Mary and Martha are the great examples of hyper-activity and rest - but of course Mary's rest is rest in Christ - it is a careful and well centered rest - and therefore important.

What is vain toil and what is careful labor - these are good questions to ask ourselves. But more than that we should see rest and sleep as divine blessing, perhaps then we would take them less as intrusion into our busy wakefulness and more as welcome gift.