The Track of Terror and the Balm of Sleep - Lee Shelnut
The title read, “Track of Terror: Along the Path of the Newnan Tornado” and the title not only grabbed attention, but was true, fitting, right. Just before midnight on March 25, a tornado first touched down in Heard County west of Newnan. 39 miles and 53 minutes later, it finished its track of terror in Fayette County to the east of Newnan. During those 53 minutes it had cut its devastating path completely through Coweta County, my home county. At its intensity as an EF4 tornado with 170 mph winds, it was cutting its 1-mile wide path through the neighborhoods of my friends, former fellow church members, and family. It was horrific. The drone videos, photos, and stories in the days afterwards revealed a beautiful city of homes and old trees turned into a war zone.
My dismay sitting 4 ½ hours away in North Carolina, in no way compared to the shock family and friends were facing. As you might expect, I began to check on folk – my niece’s home had lots of damage, but it was still standing. Some members of the White Oak ARP Church lost the roof on their home. Another friend’s home was totally destroyed. Miraculously, and I do not use that term loosely, all were still alive. As I kept a check on folk over the next few days, I asked one friend, “how can I specifically pray for you today?” An unexpected answer came back. “Please pray that we can sleep.” Sleep. Something everyone except insomniacs take so often for granted. Yet, sleep for this friend was elusive. Insomnia was an effect of shock. If I fall asleep tonight, what might happen this time?
Shakespeare’s villain, Macbeth, who yielded to his vaulting ambition to be king, battled insomnia for a different reason, guilt. With blood-stained hands, the murderer spoke these hauntingly true words,
Methought I heard a voice cry 'Sleep no more!
Macbeth does murder sleep', the innocent sleep,
Sleep that knits up the ravell'd sleeve of care,
The death of each day's life, sore labour's bath,
Balm of hurt minds, great nature's second course,
Chief nourisher in life's feast...
What a beautiful and true picture of sleep and the glorious blessing it is! Have the cares of life unraveled you? Sleep is the seamstress that sews the unraveled sleeve back up. Has work been arduous and your body aches? Sleep is that Epsom salt bath that eases those tired muscles. Is your mind riddled by cuts and sores? Sleep is that healing balm soothingly applied on each. It’s not an appetizer. It’s the course that truly sustains.
If the murderous fiend Macbeth spoke true, then sleep truly is a glorious blessing, isn’t it? It’s a blessing that those battling insomnia due to dark providences or due to personal guilt long for.
But in the fast-paced hustle and 24/7 lifestyles pushed upon us in this society, who has time for sleep? After all we have got our jobs, school activities, sports leagues, travel teams, DIY projects, and social events to get in, right? And if we don’t, well, we might become destitute, or our child might not become a pro-athlete or get that scholarship to THE right school, or the neighbor’s remodel job might get more likes on Facebook. Far too many of us are like mice running in hamster wheels until exhaustion. We neglect the blessing of sleep to our detriment and to the detriment of others.
We can even dress such foolishness up in holy garb. Right? It is as if the kingdom all depends on how many ministries, religious activities, and groups we can be involved in. Involvement in programs can become a mark of this dangerous piety.
Methought I heard a voice cry 'Sleep no more!
Macbeth does murder sleep', the innocent sleep,
Are we murdering sleep?
Christian, God offers a better way. Beside the routine of day and night with night being a normal, regular, steady, opportunity for most to receive the blessing of sleep, God gives another blessing – the blessing of the Christian Sabbath, the Lord’s Day. Or, as the hymn-writer calls it, (the) Day of Rest and Gladness.
Amidst the dark providences of life, and the battles with our own sins, and our societal pressures, oh how we need this day and the blessing within the blessing that it brings – a time for rest. That rest is more than physical rest. But please get this. It is not less. Dear ones, you don’t need permission to take a nap on Sunday, but you may need an admonition to do so. If so, here it is: on Sunday, worship with God’s people, but also, sit down, lay down, close your eyes, and take a nap or go to bed an hour or two earlier. God has got this. He has the universe in his hands. You can take a nap. You can sleep. And if you cannot (or will not), there could be a deeper problem.