Night Shift

I’ve only worked the night shift a few seasons of my life. It is a hard adjustment to working through the night. It can be done and there are people I know who’ve worked the night shift for many years. I struggled to get enough rest during the day when I was working at night. About the time I would get it figured out, the weekend came, and I was a bit “out of whack”. I do remember pulling “all nighters” when preparing for tests that I should have studied for a little each day.

I’m thankful for the people work while I’m sleeping. There are deputies and policemen on parole. There are firefighters and ambulance worker on call and ready to serve and save us from harm. There are nurses and doctors working through the night caring for the sick. There are people praying at all hours of the night. I’ve found it helpful to talk to the Lord when I lay down to sleep and then talk with Him first thing when I’m awake.  Check this out….

¹ Oh, praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,
    you who serve at night in the house of the Lord.
² Lift your hands toward the sanctuary,
    and praise the Lord. (Psalm 134:1-2 NLT)

This passage refers to the people who were serving the night shift in the temple. When Jesus came, the Lord no longer dwelt in a building. He now dwells in our hearts. As I thought about the people who served the night shift in the temple, I began to think of the people who actually do their jobs while I’m asleep.

There have been seasons in my life where insomnia set in due to a big decision that I was facing or a job opportunity that I was wrestling with. I’m learned to go to the Lord when these worries and moments of anxiousness settle in. I’ve even got out of bed and journaled my prayers because I was so anxious, stressed or worried. It actually helps me to see words on a page that reflect what I’m thinking in my heart. That’s a big reason why I write this blog nearly every day. I get clarity when I write my thoughts about a passage of scripture or a situation.

I like getting up early while my family and lots of others are asleep. I talk to the Lord about my family and friends. I ask Him to settle in on their heart. I ask Him to bless them and protect them. I do trust the Lord with everything most of the time. I’m learning that while I’m sleeping, He’s at work.  I’m learning that even while I’m alert and working, He’s multi-tasking behind the scenes of my life. He is always awake and doesn’t need sleep. He works every night shift – actually, He works every shift. I’m thankful for His Presence no matter what time it is or where I find myself.

Pressing On!

Dwayne