But Jesus Was Asleep

Of course he was.

Would it be irresponsible to just sleep through the difficulties of life? Was that Jesus’ tactic? If you can do it - actually fall asleep during difficulty - that would be quite a thing. Think about it: “I’m not going to let this thing bother me as much as it could, so Ima just gonna sleep through it.”

That would take faith, indeed. Maybe we couldn’t sleep, but perhaps we could go with the notion that what seems like a big deal doesn’t need to be.

Quite often in the gospels, it does seem that those things that might seem like a big deal to humanity are not so to Jesus. And on the flip side, some things that humans would otherwise ignore or downplay are deserving of more attention (children, a Samaritan woman, birds of the air, etc.).

Maybe the next time you are called to a fight or worry or anxiety or controversy, just say, “Sorry, I’ve got a nap scheduled for that time.”

Matthew 8:23-27

When Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him. A huge storm arose on the lake so that waves were sloshing over the boat. But Jesus was asleep. They came and woke him, saying, “Lord, rescue us! We’re going to drown!”

He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you people of weak faith?” Then he got up and gave orders to the winds and the lake, and there was a great calm.

The people were amazed and said, “What kind of person is this? Even the winds and the lake obey him!”

Prayer

God,

Help me decide what really matters. Give me discernment to choose which battles to show up for and which to leave alone. I think I’m asking for wisdom, actually.

I’m not sure I could sleep through them like Jesus did, but at least give me the faith to see the storms through without resorting to hand-wringing, complaining, or woe-is-me-ing.

And help me to be strong for others, too. There’s a lot of anxiety these days, God. Give me a presence girded by your holy spirit, steadfast and powerful to see things through.

By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.