Rest the soul

I will bless the Lord who counsels me; he gives me wisdom in the night. He tells me what to do. Psalm 16:7

I sometimes pressure my imperfect self to make a perfect decision, only then I realize I need to be reminded of a wiser way. With a little bit of time I am able to: 1) process emotions, 2) ponder options, 3) reflect on "why" I want to do this, 4) and chiefly, ask the Lord for His wisdom, confirmation, and validation. Just going with my "gut" in an instant may give me short-term relief, with a long-term kick in the butt. My best decisions resemble a meal prepared like a Panera Bread sandwich: my mind fully marinated in truth, seasoned with humility of heart, all wrapped up in the pita bread of prayer.

Beautifully, the Psalmist describes the kind of sleep destined to accomplish more, more than when a person is awake. Sweet sleep where noisy distractions lie dormant. Emotion’s quiet, engine turned off. The body repairs torn muscle, rests achy bones and rejuvenates fatigued limbs. The Lord does deep work in our innermost being. A soul may be most awake when the body sleeps, ready to receive what is easily dismissed in the daytime hours. The Spirit seeps effortlessly into a soul waiting in solitude, engaged, in tune, teachable. What is comprehended in the night can be applied in the day. The Lord is awake while we sleep, as He never sleeps nor slumbers to counsel, impart wisdom and direct.

"These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. " (1 Corinthians 2:10-11).

What decision do you face that has you seeking the face of Jesus? Maybe you are experiencing a relationship that requires bold courage to break off or generous forgiveness to grow its intimacy. But relational decisions can be messy and complicated. Be careful your flesh does not cloud your thinking. In a similar fashion financial wisdom can be diluted by confusing a want for a need. Wants can wait. Needs are necessary now. A newer car replacing a perfectly nice car is probably a want while a newer car replacing an undependable car could be a need. Wisdom does not bow to pressure for an instant decision, but bows to the Lord seeking the best decision.

In our stress we can sleep soundly, as we seek God postured for prayer while lying in our beds. Our sleep is the Spirit's opportunity to carry out deep soul care. We can rest in the middle of relational conflict, with the confidence that Christ can bring us solutions for resolution as we rest. Rest facilitates a healthy body and a healthy perspective. Perhaps we keep a pen and paper on the night stand so we can record what we see in the night, to remember and apply in the day. Our loving Lord who never slumbers, speaks to our soul in our slumber. He counsels us to trust. He gives us wisdom to be counter-cultural. He tells us the next right thing to do.

"For God does speak—now one way, now another—though no one perceives it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they slumber in their beds, he may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings, to turn them from wrongdoing and keep them from pride" (Job 33:14-17).