When was the last time you gave God thanks for oblivion? Webster defines oblivion as, "the fact or condition of not remembering : a state marked by lack of awareness or consciousness". I have noticed that, as the years pass, I am visited by a little oblivion when it comes to car keys and my glasses. That is not the gift, it is a reminder of my need to be more attentive to the very simple things of life. To be honest, I have always had an issue with my glasses disappearing. At 64 I now have an acceptable excuse for my carelessness. There is, however, a wonderful gift of oblivion give to us by God from the very beginning. The translators use the word "sleep". God designed living things to have times of rest. He provided day and night so we could be active stewards during the times of light and receive rest and recovery during times of darkness. Without sleep our bodies break down and, given enough sleeplessness, they will perish.
Sleep is first recorded in Genesis 2:21, where the first surgery was also recorded, "And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place." Man was in a deep sleep, oblivious to what the Lord was doing. God made a woman to be man's helper and partner. (Many women I know believe men have been pretty much oblivious ever since.) Having people sleep through many medical procedures is common practice today. It seems God had a good idea from the beginning. Sleep and rest are as much a part of God's design as anything else we were given to enjoy. Even the seventh day Sabbath was given as a gift of God so we could recover from six days of labor. Being on the go twenty-four seven, was never the Lord's intention.
David understood this well, "I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety" (Psalm 4:6). The Psalmist recognizes this again in Psalm 127:2, "It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; He gives His beloved sleep." The writer indicates that a life filled with anxiety is unprofitable. It is God who protects and provides and it is God who gives His beloved sleep. A period of oblivion is a gift of God. The counsel of a father to a son, is given in Proverbs 3. If you walk in obedience to the things that the Lord commands, "When you lie down, you will not be afraid; yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet."
We live in a world filled with opportunities to absorb stress and anxiety. Uncertainty is our manner of life. Questions about jobs, or terrorism, natural disasters, disease, fractured relationships, and the future await us every day. They can cause damage to our very souls and rob us of precious moments of joy. It is a challenge to just place it all in the Lord's hands and breath. We tend to carry what we were not meant to carry and hold onto things we have no control over just to maintain our anxiety level. But, the God who loves you says, "Lie down, close your eyes, slip into oblivion for a time and rest." The Lord is fully capable of watching over your junk while you take a moment or two to stop being consciously aware of the burden of life that has captured your soul.
I have one of those pretty mellow personalities. I tend to be fairly constant emotionally, which sounds better than I tend to be boring. I have almost always had the ability to see a larger picture and to recognize what is beyond my control. That being said, I do feel deeply about things. I can quietly churn over things that come into my area of responsibility. I am a Pastor, so it usually involves people and ministry stuff. Being helpless as a marriage fails, being touched by the pain where reconciliation has been forsaken. Knowing that, if Biblical principles were accepted and applied, this would not be. The open wounds left from destructive addictions, wounds from a childhood that never healed, traumas never dealt with that leave dark festering holes in a broken spirit. These things weigh me down and replay in my mind. Questions of what I could have done. Questions about unanswered prayers. Then there are the simple realities of ministry that only God controls. Of people who come, and people who go. Those we love and depend on are taken or worse yet turn against you. They leave a wake of uncertainty in the river of life.
These are quiet middle of the night prayer times. And there are, quite honestly, blessed times of oblivion. In the midst of whatever might weigh upon my heart God gives His beloved sleep. In the midst of what could become overwhelming anxiety I am reminded that He neither slumbers nor sleeps, so I can lie down and my sleep will be sweet. Sweet oblivion so my mind can rest from the weight it carries, gentle oblivion so my body can heal. When I recognize that He is here to catty the burden I find rest for my soul.
As you lay your head down upon your pillow tonight, as you turn off the light at the end of the day, say a little thank you to the God who gives you rest. A little time of oblivion to prepare for the day to come.
No comments:
Post a Comment