Sleep is Spiritual

"...I realised that - as unspiritual as it sounds - if I was going to get serious about becoming a more loving person, I was going to have to get more sleep. I have discovered I have a very hard time thinking and feeling and acting like Jesus whe I lack sleep...For some of you...the most spiritual thing you could do right now is...to take a nap."

John Ortberg, The Life You've Always Wanted.

A great truth here from John Ortberg, quoted in the context of spiritual disciplines and recognising that we are holistic beings. What happens in one part of our life affects what happens in other parts. After all, we only have one life.

I have discovered this to be very true in my own life. I am generally less likely to be Christlike after the birth of a child (this can last for some months :)) It's not an excuse for bad behaviour, but it is a reason to look to when "out of character" behaviour creeps in.

It's one of the first questions I ask in mentoring if someone appears to be badly out of sorts. A lack of sleep can flow over into so many areas of life: health, motivation, relationships, depression, energy, prayer, reading - the list goes on.

Those of you who know me well, will know that I am not a big fan of sleep. Just too much to do enjoy in life to waste it sleeping! But Psalm 127 reminds me:

2 In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to those he loves.