Uplook - August 13, 2023
Dear Saints,
It is good to be back home in Seattle. I have possibly given a bit more thought to the topic of sleep in the last few days than normal as Lori and I recover from “jet lag” following our 11 day trip to Southeast Asia. Thankfully, our bodies are slowly getting resynchronized with our current time zone.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Jet lag, also called jet lag disorder, is a temporary sleep problem that can affect anyone who quickly travels across several time zones. Your body has its own internal clock, called circadian rhythms. They signal to your body when to stay awake and when to sleep. Jet lag occurs because your body's internal clock is synced to your original time zone. It hasn't changed to the time zone of where you've traveled. The more time zones crossed, the more likely you are to experience jet lag.” The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) adds “Jet lag can affect your mood, your ability to concentrate, and your physical and mental performance.”
The Bible also has a lot to say about sleep. Sometimes it is celebrated as in Psalms 4:8 and 127:2 and Proverbs 3:24, understood as a time God continues to work as in Genesis 2:21, 15:12 and 28:16, while in other places excess sleep is warned against as in Proverbs 6:9 and Mark 13:36.
Upon considering these things it is clear that sleep is not a problem but a natural and necessary part of our daily rhythm of life. The problem comes when that routine or rhythm is interrupted/broken/changed. Ask any young parent what happens with a young child’s sleep is interrupted by the pain of a new tooth or just misses a nap. They will confirm that sleep is necessary both for the child and themselves. Travel across many time zones (in our case 16) interrupts that natural rhythm and we find ourselves awake when we should be asleep or unable to stay awake when it is necessary. It takes a few days for our bodies to readjust to the new time zone and daily rhythms there.
In a spiritual and physical sense, may we all receive the rest from sleep which is ordained by a loving creator for our human bodies and spirits. May we embrace the comforting fact that the God of the universe is still at work around us even while we are asleep. And finally, may we not get spiritual and physical sleep out of rhythms to such a point that when we should be alert and watching we are not. May we not choose sleep over the work with which God has entrusted us. My prayer for you as we approach the end of the summer season is that you will find the rhythm of rest which the Lord has in mind and you will be empowered afresh for the tasks and work which lies ahead in the balance of the year.
Housekeeping Notes:
BB
Senior Pastor
It is good to be back home in Seattle. I have possibly given a bit more thought to the topic of sleep in the last few days than normal as Lori and I recover from “jet lag” following our 11 day trip to Southeast Asia. Thankfully, our bodies are slowly getting resynchronized with our current time zone.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Jet lag, also called jet lag disorder, is a temporary sleep problem that can affect anyone who quickly travels across several time zones. Your body has its own internal clock, called circadian rhythms. They signal to your body when to stay awake and when to sleep. Jet lag occurs because your body's internal clock is synced to your original time zone. It hasn't changed to the time zone of where you've traveled. The more time zones crossed, the more likely you are to experience jet lag.” The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) adds “Jet lag can affect your mood, your ability to concentrate, and your physical and mental performance.”
The Bible also has a lot to say about sleep. Sometimes it is celebrated as in Psalms 4:8 and 127:2 and Proverbs 3:24, understood as a time God continues to work as in Genesis 2:21, 15:12 and 28:16, while in other places excess sleep is warned against as in Proverbs 6:9 and Mark 13:36.
Upon considering these things it is clear that sleep is not a problem but a natural and necessary part of our daily rhythm of life. The problem comes when that routine or rhythm is interrupted/broken/changed. Ask any young parent what happens with a young child’s sleep is interrupted by the pain of a new tooth or just misses a nap. They will confirm that sleep is necessary both for the child and themselves. Travel across many time zones (in our case 16) interrupts that natural rhythm and we find ourselves awake when we should be asleep or unable to stay awake when it is necessary. It takes a few days for our bodies to readjust to the new time zone and daily rhythms there.
In a spiritual and physical sense, may we all receive the rest from sleep which is ordained by a loving creator for our human bodies and spirits. May we embrace the comforting fact that the God of the universe is still at work around us even while we are asleep. And finally, may we not get spiritual and physical sleep out of rhythms to such a point that when we should be alert and watching we are not. May we not choose sleep over the work with which God has entrusted us. My prayer for you as we approach the end of the summer season is that you will find the rhythm of rest which the Lord has in mind and you will be empowered afresh for the tasks and work which lies ahead in the balance of the year.
Housekeeping Notes:
- Many have expressed a desire to attend special meetings in Pullman, WA next weekend (Aug 18-20) and so we will be recessing services in Seattle for that Sunday, August 20 only. Bro. Adesope, Pullman pastor, has assured me they will provide housing for any and all who wish to attend. Please confirm with me tomorrow at church so I can inform him of those who will be attending.
- Looking ahead – We are planning special meetings for Seattle on September 30-October 1. Please be in prayer for these meetings and be watching for opportunities to help with the food, etc. as we host guests who will join us for the weekend.
BB
Senior Pastor
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