Just Feed the Beast

It is 12:35 AM as I write this. This was not the plan for my night. The plan was to be asleep for at least two and a half hours by now. There I was, laying in bed, drifting off to sleep, when it happened. I simply rolled over and POW! A million details began to run rampantly through my mind, and suddenly, I was wide awake with no hope of drifting back off into dreamland.

I began thinking about the message for the memorial service later today, the sermon for this Sunday, the small group that will begin at our home next Tuesday, the small group and two Bible studies that met Wednesday night, wow, that was a big storm that blew through Wednesday night, my reading and writing assignment for my class this week, I haven’t blogged in awhile, the next class begins in three weeks (week 5 of this class), the trip my son and daughter-in-law are preparing to take, I really need to pray for them, the community prayer meeting coming up soon. . . well, you get the idea. Yes, there was more, but I won’t bore you with all of it.

In the past, when this happens, I have fought valiantly to get back to sleep. I have lost each of those fights as I tossed and turned for hours and then finally fell asleep from sheer exhaustion, only accomplishing a short early morning nap before rising to face the day ill-prepared. I learned years ago to simply rise and “feed the beast,” literally and figuratively.

When I rise, I start with a cup of coffee and a snack. Then I brainstorm a list of everything on my mind in an effort to create a to-do list of things to accomplish before the sun comes up and the day’s activities begin. The snack energizes my mind and body for the work ahead. Knocking off a couple of smaller items on the list calms my mind and spirit and prepares me for what actually is most needed.

At that point, the desk gets cleared, the computer is turned off, and I put my Bible and my journal in front of me. With a clear, sharp, undistracted mind, I become engrossed in and enamored with the presence of the Lord. In reading His Word, my thoughts become sharper than before. I know I will lose this sharpness later today, so I write them down for later reflection and application. I find that in my prayers I ask for less, and I listen more, and I write down what the Spirit impresses upon my heart and mind.

And then it happens, a restful peace washes gently across my soul. The beast has been truly fed, and it is time for sleep. Rest in the Lord, wait patiently for Him, for He gives His beloved sleep (Psalm 37:7; 127:2). Rest well brothers and sisters.