Lesson 3: Take a Nap
When I was in kindergarten my teacher would always make us take naps after lunch time. I still have a vivid image of laying down on a red and blue mat wide awake thinking, “Why in the world do we have to take naps? I would rather be playing!”
Today I have a different view on naps. I would love to take a fiesta after lunch every day, but life is not as friendly with naps as it once was. My life has gone from snail pace to light speed. I now have Bible time, work, resolution college ministry, discipleship, Band of Brothers, triathlon training, bills, relationship building... In between all these I have to fit in eating and sleep.
For those of you in school your typical day might consist waking up, reading Bible, Breakfast, school, student government, soccer, homework, leadership meetings, discipleship, dinner, IM friends, sleep…Every day of our lives is completely filled. Life is like one big connected event with no breaks. There is no time to take naps like there once was.
In Exodus 31:12-14 God tells us to take a Sabbath. Then the LORD said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites, 'You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the LORD, who makes you holy.”
Why does God tell us to take a Sabbath, especially with us being so busy? He tells us to in order to remind us that it is not ourselves that makes us holy, that brings us success, gives us good health, good friends, good grades, success in athletics, joy, financial provision, happiness…But it is God! It is easy to become so busy and focused on our agendas that we lose sight of the One who brings us success and joy in life.
When I speak of taking a nap (a creative way of saying Sabbath) I am not talking about slothfulness, the sin of doing nothing, caring about nothing, worshiping nothing and living for nothing. A Sabbath is productive intimacy with God through enjoying his presence. In fact, not taking a Sabbath is the direct opposite of slothfulness. Without alone time with God you will fall into the trap of slothfulness that so many young people have fallen into today.
How do we take a nap (Sabbath)? First of all, be still and know that He is God. Then cut away the noise and be quiet. Finally, pause and acknowledge God, “God is here!” Breath in his presence. Let him fill you. God wants us to acknowledge Him every day. Take a small “nap” everyday and acknowledge God. Take a whole “nap” once a week. God commands it.
Here are some practical tips on taking a Sabbath. Plan ahead! Don’t procrastinate. Don’t you hate when your work is always hanging over you? Don’t you love it when you finish your homework early, then you have the whole weekend to play? In Exodus 16:22-24 God
commands the Israelites to gather their food and save the leftovers for the next day, which was the Sabbath. The Israelites basically planned ahead and God provided on the Sabbath. If we will plan ahead and obey God by taking a Sabbath, God will provide. Less is more. In other words, less of you and more of God equals abundant provision.
To help clarify what a Sabbath looks like Os Guiness gives us a great point on solitude: “When Jesus and his disciples were so pressured that they couldn’t even eat, he said: ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ He then took them to “a solitary place.” Like the other disciplines of abstinence…solitude is vital for training us to stand against the excesses of our culture. Whereas normal life puffs up our sense of self-importance and locks us into the patterns of thought and behavior dependent on others, solitude liberates us from these entanglements by carving out a space from which we can see ourselves and our situation before an Audience of One” (The Call 159-160).
Simply stated, a Sabbath is cutting away the things in this life that are linked to self-importance-the job, school, homework, sports practice, band practice, IM… and finding you alone before an Audience of One!
Ryan Austin
Element Youth Director
