"When the going gets tough, the tough take a nap."—Tom Hodgkinson
Tom Hodgkinson is a British writer who, since 1993 has been editor of a magazine called, "The Idler—literature for loafers." He is a proponent of the idea that idling can make for a more productive life. Hodgkinson writes:
"A characteristic of the idler's work is that it looks suspiciously like play. This, again, makes the non-idler feel uncomfortable. Victims of the Protestant work ethic would like all work to be unpleasant. They feel that work is a curse, that we must suffer on this earth to earn our place in the next. The idler, on the other hand, sees no reason not to use their brain to organize a life for themselves where their play is their work, and so attempt to create their own little paradise in the here and now." King Solomon wrote,"So I saw that there is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. That is our lot in life. And no one can bring us back to see what happens after we die." (Ecc. 3:22) Tom Hodgkinson is not anti-work nor pro-laziness; he is an advocate for crafting an enjoyable life.
Above, Hodgkinson suggests that English Prime Minister Winston Churchill napped as a way to cope with the pressures of his job. Among other things, Churchill lead Great Britain through World War 2. He was a strong advocate of napping. He believed his 2-hour naps were essential for maintaining mental balance, renewing his energy, and reviving his spirits.
A SIESTA is an afternoon rest or nap, especially one taken during the hottest hours of the day in a hot climate. Siesta is a Spanish word derived from the Latin sexta (hora) ‘sixth hour,' which in the Bible would have been around noon. In Spain, Italy, and other Mediterranean countries, the time frame for a Siesta is from 2-5pm. People swear by this break in the day. We even call them "power naps" because of their rejuvenating properties. The siesta habit has been associated with a 37 percent reduction in coronary mortality, possibly due to reduced cardiovascular stress mediated by daytime sleep.
In Psalm 23:2-3, king David says of the LORD, His Shepherd..."He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul, He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake." Philip Keller, in his book, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 shares why the Shepherd has to constrain sheep to rest.
The strange thing about sheep is that because of their very makeup it is almost impossible for them to be made to lie down unless four requirements are met:
- Owing to their timidity they refuse to lie down unless they are free of all fear.
- Because of the social behavior within a flock, sheep will not lie down unless they are free from friction with others of their kind.
- If tormented by flies or parasites, sheep will not lie down. Only when free of these pests can they relax.
- Lastly, sheep will not lie down as long as they feel in need of finding food. They must be free from hunger.
Are the conditions above costing you rest and sleep? Maybe you don't have actual flies..but something has been 'bugging' you. Has the LORD ever led you into a time of rest? Have you run yourself ragged and refused to stop and take a much needed spiritual or natural Siesta? David said, I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." (Psalm 4:8) | 
