Had enough sleep?

Many people have found at times of pressing demand that they can turn to God for rest. God is the real source of revitalization. Matter and unconsciousness are not. As we identify ourselves with this true source, as we understand and live our real nature as God's image and likeness, we rest in, and are refreshed by, His presence.

The universal laws and qualities of God, omnipotent good, eternally govern, sustain, and motivate man. Have you ever noticed how, when you're thinking unselfishly of another, you often feel less tired? Christian Science practitioners, for instance, when called upon to heal through prayer an urgent case of sickness, have stayed awake and alert throughout the night, if necessary , until the patient was healed.

In so sustaining the sick through the power of Christ, Truth, they too are spiritually strengthened and sustained. And they often find that the lack of sleep does not interfere with their activities the following day. They thus demonstrate the practical utility of Mary Baker Eddy's n1 assessment of the supporting power of prayer: "The struggle for Truth makes one strong instead of weak, resting instead of wearying one." n2

n1 Mrs. Eddy is the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science;

n2 Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,m p. 426.

It is recorded in the Gospels that on occasion Christ Jesus spent a whole night in prayer. He would also rise early in the morning to commune with his Father. As we become willing to pray a little more and sleep a little less, to listen to God's inspiring thoughts instead of dreaming, we will undoubtedly find our receptivity to God increasing. We will find the strength to heal tensions and worries of the day, as well as such troubles as insomnia. Finding our rest in God, we will never be tempted to seek it in thoughtdeadening drugs. With the peace of God filling consciousness, fear will be destroyed. We will then sleep more normally.

At the present point in humanity's progress sleep seems essential. And certainly it's right for us to have adequate rest. But instead of drifting unthinkingly along with sleep's pleasant mesmerism, we might profit from responding to the deepest implications of Paul's imperative call to arise from the sleep of the dead n3 and challenge whenever possible the belief that life is mortal. Jesus kept himself alert and nullified this mesmerism. He awakened Lazarus n4 and the synagogue ruler's daughter n5 from the temporary dream of death.

n3 see Ephesians 5:14;

n4 See John 11:11;

n5 See Mark 5:39.

Painting my home necessitated rear-ranging my dialy schedule. Unable to cut my working hours, I had to streamline my hours of sleep. I began to rise early and get busy immediately. I kept in thought the fact that God is the only true source of strength, and tried to live in accord with the statement by Mrs. Eddy: "The consciousness of Truth rests us more than hours of repose in unconsciousness." n6 I slept less and accomplished more.

n6 Science and Health,m p. 218.

My sleep schedule continues to be streamlined, but through inspiration, not willpower. Without a doubt the Science of Christ can help us find consistent refreshment. DAILY BIBLE VERSE Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:30, 31