Do you enjoy a good nap? Napping used to be rare, but as I’ve gotten older, my appreciation for a good nap has increased. There are days when taking a nap is a practical way to deal with an afternoon slump. But other days, nothing sounds holier than a nap. And believe it or not, the Bible is full of them.
Elijah, exhausted after confronting the prophets of Baal, collapsed under a tree and fell asleep. When he woke, an angel had prepared food and water (a nice touch that has never happened to me). Jonah must have been an experienced napper, because he took a snooze in the bottom of a storm-tossed ship. And Jesus, in the middle of a raging storm, was found napping peacefully in the boat while the disciples panicked around him.
What do these naps teach us? For one, sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is rest. Elijah didn’t need another sermon; he needed a snack and a nap. Jonah didn’t want to do what God was calling him to do, and needed a nap to be reminded that when God has a plan for our lives, God doesn’t let go. And Jesus shows us the beauty and power of resting in God’s care so that even chaos can’t disturb our peace.
We live in a world that glorifies busyness. Yet Scripture reminds us:
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8)
Naps are not (necessarily) signs of laziness; they can be acts of trust. Closing our eyes, even briefly, is a way of saying, “The world doesn’t depend on me. It depends on God.” It’s also a way of saying, “I don’t depend on the world. I depend on God.” The beginning of a nap is a good time to take a deep breath and, as you are about to drift off, remind yourself that God is in control and that your trust is in him.
So, the next time you feel guilty for dozing off on the couch or nodding off in the recliner, remember: Elijah, Jonah, and Jesus all took naps. You’re in good company! Don’t feel guilty. Embrace the nap!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the gift of rest. Teach me to lay down my worries, my work, and my need for control, and to trust that you are still at work even while I sleep. May I learn from Elijah, Jonah, and Jesus that sometimes faith looks like a holy nap. Amen.
