Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Sleeping with One Eye Open

Baxter has two ways of sleeping. Sometimes he is dead to the world. He curls in a ball, hiding his eyes under his paw, and remains undisturbed by any outside sights or sounds. He makes his own noises in this deep sleep. They are something of a cross between a groan and a snore, a strange sound from another world. At other times, Baxter sleeps with one eye open. He seems to be in a trance-like state, but he snaps out of it in an instant. The slightest sound or flash of light will have him sitting up, looking at what is going on and what he might be missing. At these times, he is on the ready to jump and run to the window, the food dish or the door, wherever the alert signals. Although he may be resting, he is in touch with what is going on around him and ready to respond, if it peaks his interest.

Insomnia is a problem many people experience. They can’t sleep at all, and this condition makes them anxious and tired much of the time. Others suffer from narcolepsy. They fall asleep at the drop of a hat in any situation, even driving a car or operating machinery. This condition, needless to say, is a dangerous one for the person with the problem and for others who may bear its consequences.

Faith calls us to sleep like cats not like human beings with sleeping problems. On the one hand, it calls us to a deep sense of peace and security. Our lives rest in God’s hands, and we can be sure that He will not harm
them. We can trust in God and give ourselves over to His loving providence. We can live with a sense that “all will be well”, as Julian of Norwich wrote, because in Christ death and sin have been conquered by grace. While we face problems and difficulties daily, we won’t be overwhelmed by them, if we see them in faith.

On the other hand, our faith also calls us to stay alert in our world for opportunities to see God’s hand and cooperate with it. Sleep with one eye open to the wonder of creation’s beauty, to the needs of our brothers and sisters, and to the possibility of a new way for God to speak and act in our midst. God’s love is not meant to make us complacent or lost in a stupor without regard for anything else. It’s meant to energize us, to set us on alert for what is needed to advance God’s Kingdom in our present situation. But if we want truly to do God’s work, we must set about it without anxiety or preoccupations about how to get it all done successfully. Whenever we minister, we rest in God while we work to serve others. This is the only way our service keeps from being self-serving.

Lord, that His peace and care might rejuvenate us, and learn to relax with one eye open, that His call to service might not be missed. That’s how Mary and Martha from the Scripture story come together. That’s contemplation in action. That’s grace and works in harmony. It’s a key to true happiness. Wake up, Baxter!