How Do You Sleep At Night?

A number of years ago I was invited to a medium security prison to speak to a group of young offenders; and I won't lie, even though I'd visited numerous inmates in the past, this was intimidating and I was nervous.

I was escorted by armed guards to a large room where about 60, 12-17 year olds were ushered in, and told to sit on the floor.

I was given 30 minutes to share my story, which was meant to encourage them that their mistakes weren't the end of the story and that they could live a different story if they chose to.

I looked into some hurting, troubled and angry faces while I tried to inspire them somehow; just praying I was connecting in some small way.

When I finished, one of the guards stepped up and I thought he was dismissing the kids, but instead he opened it up for questions "from the floor" literally.

For the next hour I fielded some of the most incredibly challenging questions, like "Why do you think my grandparents and parents do drugs with me when I'm home." or "Why does my mom say she wants me to talk with her, but when I do, she gets angry and hits me?"

Then the one kid who sat in the front glaring at me the entire time raised his hand and I gulped and wondered, "Oh man, what is he going to say?"

He proceeded to ask the following, "Didn't you feel like a complete idiot?"

I laughed nervously and said, "I'm afraid you'll have to be more specific since I was an idiot a lot of the time."

He said, "Why did you stop dealing drugs and start working a minimum wage job. You gave up so much money; wasn't that stupid, and didn't you feel like an idiot?"

I paused for a moment, and said a quick prayer; and while he may have just been trying to embarrass me, I didn't want to do that to him, as I pegged him as the alpha male in the room.

So I said, "I don't know you or anything about your life, or why you're here, but I will guess I know something about you. You don't have to answer me, but I'm guessing that when you are all alone, and no one is around, when you're laying down at night, you don't like yourself very much."

His whole face changed and he looked to the floor, and just sat there quietly.

I continued, "When I finally stopped doing the illegal things, and worked as a busboy or pizza maker, to earn money, I could lay my head on the pillow and feel okay with myself. And that's what I want for you too."

Eventually the kids were ushered back to their cells, and the guards walked me out. The truth is I wish I could have spent more time with each of them. In part, because I wanted to hear their stories and because there was much more to say.

Let me ask you...how do you sleep at night?

I'm not asking, if you get 8 hours every night. I'm wondering if you can really rest.

It Is Finished

When you read the gospel story when Jesus is on hanging on the cross; from the outside looking in, it would appear the Jesus is losing...that evil has won. But everything that was done was by God's design and for His purposes.

Jesus was voluntarily laying down His life for us; and when His mission was complete, He said, "It is finished." The work of redemption was done. It was essentially a victorious statement of triumph.

He wasn't powerless, He was in charge. Of course ultimately demonstrating that a few days later.

Then it reads, "He bowed His head, and gave up His spirit." John 19:30.

I can't remember who said this, but the picture is of gently placing one's head on a pillow...no slumping or jerky motion. Just a quiet, confident and complete gesture; "commending Himself into the hands of the Father."

What an amazing image that evokes.

It's because of this, that Jesus can offer a rest like no other.

In Matt 11:29, Jesus said, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart: and you will find rest for your soul. My yoke is easy and my burden is light."

I imagine Jesus, being the son of a carpenter, may have made his own yokes from time to time, now he was offering us a different kind.

This is a call for submission, for surrender, and to be His disciple.

If you want to truly find rest; if you want to lay your head on the pillow at night, and find peace, not just for your body or mind but for your soul, Jesus offers that for you and me. Not the weight the self-righteousness the religious leaders were offering.

The yoke Jesus offers is easy, and the burden light. The yoke of submission to Christ is not burdensome; it brings joy and peace.

That is how we can lay our heads on the pillow and sleep at night.

Until next time - Dan