Non-Drowsy Discipleship

Ever get sleepy on a late-night driving run? Now there’s a device to help you stay awake.

A spate of recent studies have shown that taking a good 30-minute drool-in-the-pillow nap in the afternoon at least three times a week can not only energize you for that late-afternoon or evening meeting, but can also lower your risk of heart-related death by 37 percent. Regular napping lowers stress levels, which may be why countries where siestas are not only common but encouraged seem to be a whole lot more easygoing than our own. So, go ahead — it’s perfectly okay to crash and catch a few Z’s there in your office chair before you tackle this week’s sermon.

It’s up to you whether you want to invite your audience to snooze and lose while you’re preaching your sermon.

The thing is, though, that there’s also a downside to napping that has everything to do with timing. Racking out in a recliner is one thing, but dozing off while driving down the interstate isn’t generally considered to be good for one’s health. Nod off for just one ...