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22nd October: Sleep (2) -- Other Sleep

So then let us not sleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:6

Natural sleep is good and to be treasured. But the Scriptures speak of sleep in at least two others ways that we need to think about. There is a sleep that is not worthy, the sleep of indolence, and unpreparedness. Speaking of being ready for the Lord's return, Paul writes: `For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night... you are not in darkness, brethren, for that day to surprise you like a thief... So then let us not sleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober... For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we wake or sleep we might live with him' (1 Thes 5:2-10).

And there is that other sleep that is called death. `We would not have you ignorant, brethren', Paul writes, `concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep' (1 Thes 4:13-14). `Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep' (1 Cor 15:20).

Knowing these things we can pray in words attributed to St Augustine:

Thine is the day, O Lord, and thine the night:
grant that the sun of righteousness may abide in our hearts,
to drive away the darkness of evil thoughts.

Further reading: 1 Thes 5:1-11, 4:13-18.

RRW