146 I call to you; save me, that I may observe your testimonies. 147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words. 148 My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise. – Psalm 119:146-148
There is something holy about the morning. The time which gently hums moments before the sunrise are precious to our Lord. Many times in Scripture, we see Jesus waking before those around Him to do spiritual business – to reflect on spiritual things. God seems to save extra reward for those disciplined enough to embrace verticality before the sun. God sees our humanity for what it desires most; rest. It is a more true rest He offers, the rest of community with the trinity. This goes beyond the moments of sleep and into a whole new realm of peaceful reconciliation.
Recently my 3 month old son has had a steady wake up time of 4 to 5 am. In these moments, my humanity meets my discipline. One screams out for more horizontal slumber, while the other eagerly waits to commune with my son and my Father. He is there in the gentle feedings and domestic tasks which fatherhood brings. My baby alarm clock reminds me of the only rest that never fails. While there will never be enough time for sleep, the rest of God is constant and found fresh in each pre-dawn.
In an overworked culture, sleep is a sacred vow. To deny ourselves of that which we so desperately crave is counter cultural. The Lord uses our sleep cycles to bring us back into shalom with Him and a fallen world. We unite in His conquering of mind, soul, and body and share with a sacred tradition. Jesus is there before the roads are stuffed with blinking lights. He precedes the romantic dance of cream into the darkness of our morning cups. He is present in the early hours and ready to pour out grace upon grace to the weary soul
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