Imagine a world where the act of sleeping is more than just rest—it’s a profound spiritual practice. This is the perspective offered by Sarah Guinness, a vicar based in London, in her fresh discipleship guide, ‘The Alternative Guide to Discipleship.’ The book suggests that sleep is fundamental to enhancing one’s spiritual journey.
The guide highlights that sleep is an opportunity for divine interaction. Guinness notes, “Sleep is not wasted time. It is an opportunity for God to seal our dreams, and to deposit things and ideas in our hearts and minds.” She imagines God as a caretaker who, while we are asleep, repairs and refreshes us to face the new day.
In her role as vicar at St Faith’s and St Paul’s in Brentford, West London, Guinness advocates that sleep can be a conduit for creativity and divine communication, as well as a preparation for Christian life. She refers to biblical instances where sleep played a pivotal role, such as Adam’s creation of Eve and God’s covenant with Abram during his sleep.
Guinness illustrates Jesus’ use of sleep for spiritual clarity. In Mark 1, Jesus sleeps and awakens with renewed focus, demonstrating divine guidance through restful slumber. She states that God can achieve more while we sleep than in our waking hours, using dreams to capture our attention.
Further elaborating, Guinness explains that sleep provides physical and emotional healing, helping individuals to process trauma and emotions. The Hebrew term for dream, “harlam,” signifies wholeness and health, underlining sleep’s restorative nature.
Dreams have profound significance in biblical narratives, from Jacob’s ladder to Daniel’s visions. In Job 33, God communicates through dreams, during the “vision of the night, when deep sleep falls.” According to Guinness, God uses dreams to guide, protect, and correct us, keeping us aligned with spiritual paths.
Incorporating insights from her experience as an occupational therapist and parish priest, Guinness extends her guide beyond sleep, covering aspects like setting boundaries, embracing emotions, and surrendering outcomes for spiritual growth. The guide draws parallels with Jesus’ example, who prioritized rest even amidst chaos, as noted by Christian doctor Richard Pile in his book ‘Fit for Purpose’.
Dr. Pile recounts Jesus’ calm during a storm on the Sea of Galilee, where, instead of panicking, Jesus chose to rest, emphasizing the necessity of sleep for well-being. This approach is echoed in Guinness’ guide, which not only focuses on sleep but offers a holistic path to spiritual development.
Rev Peter Crumpler is a Church of England minister in St Albans, Herts, UK, and a former communications director with the CofE.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
