Though The Ramones are a punk band, I can't help but want to sing the lyrics to this song. They're so catchy and silly at the same time. Check out the song here.
Holy Scripture mentions nothing about retirement but it does speak much about resting. We all need to rest from work and, thanks to Christ, we can also rest from earning righteousness.
What a blessing Matthew 11:28-30 is for us. The Bible in Basic English renders it this way: "Come to me, all you who are troubled and weighted down with care, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you and become like me, for I am gentle and without pride, and you will have rest for your souls; For my yoke is good, and the weight I take up is not hard."
Resting from the Lord's work is also a benefit for us which Christ grants us. As Mark 6:30 and 31 (BBE) tells us, "And the twelve came together to Jesus; and they gave him an account of all the things they had done, and all they had been teaching. And he said to them, 'Come away by yourselves to a quiet place, and take a rest for a time.' Because there were a great number coming and going, and they had no time even for food.
Like the person in the song, we can get too wound up in activities. It also makes our minds churn at night when we try to sleep.
But there are times when God uses sleeplessness for his glory. When Nebuchadnezzar couldn't sleep because two dreams troubled him, Daniel was given the answer as he slept. Daniel 2:30 (BBE) says, "As for me, this secret is not made clear to me because of any wisdom which I have more than any living man, but in order that the sense of the dream may be made clear to the king, and that you may have knowledge of the thoughts of your heart."
The next time we have a sleepless night, let's keep this in mind.
I love the wisdom you shared with us, Bruce. My favorite thing to do when struggling to sleep is to pray about the things keeping me awake. It's a win-win because it grants me enough serenity to eventually fall asleep.
ReplyDeleteBlessings ~ Wendy Mac
Thanks for your complements. I'm happy to share what I've learned. Did you ever light a sparkler from another sparkler? I and my dorm mates did that and the fizzling fire went around the circle of boys. That's how we spread the heavenly wisdom.
DeleteThanks for your insights into rest, Bruce. It’s a good reminder to realize how the Lord will speak to our hearts while we rest, whether in sleep or during a sleepless night. Like Wendy, I too feel called to pray when I find myself awake in the night. May you find your retirement restful and may God guide you each step of the way into this new phase of life.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your take on various songs and how you apply them to life and spiritual lessons.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your song, Bruce. It's good for you to rest now in your retirement. May your sleeps be restful, too. Often when I'm awake at night I pray for loved ones. (PS. I'm glad you're still writing for our blog. I've appreciated you and your contributions!)
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