Ready. Set. Grow! Footsteps of Faith for a Life That Flourishes by Heidi St. JohnSample

It’s Okay to Take a Nap

“Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31, NLT

Whether I’m decluttering my house (my stress reliever), writing a Bible study for Faith that Speaks, or homeschooling my children, I tend to throw myself into whatever is before me. I can’t help it. My friends often poke fun at me for the pace I keep, saying they could never keep up with me. That’s just the way I’m built. I’m wired to work, work, work. Even when I’m “on vacation,” you will usually find me working on some sort of project. It’s not necessarily a virtue, but it’s the way God made me. Thank God He was kind enough to give me Jay—a husband who has a similar work ethic and who understands how I operate.

Given the choice to be a “Mary” or a “Martha,” I’ll usually pick Martha.

Sometimes, though, my desire to “get something done” isn’t what God wants me to do.

Many years ago, an elderly gentleman offered me some down-home wisdom that I’ve never forgotten. This old fellow was from the Deep South and had perhaps a third- or fourth-grade education, but he had walked with the Lord for many, many years. His words were always simple, but his thoughts were often profound.

He said, “Heidi, whether you raise the dead today or take a nap, the pay is the same as long as you’re doing what the Lord asked you to do.”

Why is this so hard for some of us to understand? If the Lord gave you the power and the faith to raise the dead and sent you to the grave of a Lazarus, that would seem like a pretty incredible experience. But it wouldn’t be any more important or meaningful to the Lord than if He told you to put away the project you’ve been working on so intently and take a nap.

Obedience is what matters. The “what” isn’t important. Some days He directs us to feed the poor, or sing songs of praise, or care for an elderly neighbor. Other days He may ask us to wait upon Him quietly or . . . yes . . . take a nap. I wonder if we could set our children free from the burden of “doing” all the time and instead practice simply being. The point?

God delights in us either way.

His pleasure with you isn’t based on how public or how important your job was today. Even the smallest act done in complete hiddenness is just as pleasing to the Father, as long as we’re doing what He asked of us.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

I thank You for Your boundless wisdom and mercy. I’m grateful for the gentle nudge that reminds me it’s my obedience You cherish more than my actions. You’ve helped me to see today that even in my moments of rest, I can glorify You. Whether my calling is to accomplish great feats or simply take a pause, it’s my obedience that truly matters to You.

Lord, I understand it’s not about the scale of my actions, but the intention behind them. Help me remember this.

Father, I need Your wisdom to truly grasp Your commands and Your strength to live them out exactly as You mean for me to. Help me, Lord, to grow in my love for You, and let this love overflow into every area of my life, transforming each action into an act of obedience to You.

In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.