LBW 342, “I Know of a Sleep in Jesus’ Name”
Devotion
There is such palpable fear and denial of death in our culture. At the same time, there is a renewed search for spiritual meaning. People are seeking a place where they can find hope and rest, allowing all the stress and anxiety of life to drift away. Where are they seeking rest? Statistics show that there are more people signing up for yoga classes than for new member classes at church.
The author of today’s hymn text seems to know something that either we aren’t able to communicate or translate for those seeking to believe in something outside themselves. It is quite possible that yoga’s benefits are many; however, if I understand yoga correctly, it still leaves one searching within rather than putting one’s faith in Jesus Christ, who is most surely the one in whom we can find our perfect rest.
Prayer
Help us find our rest in thee, O Christ. Amen.