Sleep Therapy

From the first in a new series from Books & Culture entitled "Christianity: a Counter-Culture for the Common Good."

Sleep more: this may seem a curious answer to the question of what Christians can do for the common good. Surely one could come up with something more other-directed, more sacrificial, less self-serving. Or more overtly political—refusing to serve in the current wr. Or more communitarian, making a commitment to street and neighborhood that overrides new job offers.

And let's be honest. Had I instead written a rousing essay calling all Christians to hold vigils against the death penalty next week, the very improbability that anyone would heed my call would let us all off the hook. One of the reasons you may be wishing I hadn't suggested we Christians sleep more is that sleeping more is something you can choose to do, or not do, this very night. The whole thing.