REST
Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you ill find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Reflections: This passage always makes me smile. It speaks of such love and care and concern for us, as God’s children. I picture Jesus with open arms, beckoning me to Him, offering me relief for my troubled soul…
Life can be so hard sometimes, as we try to juggle this responsibility and that crisis and that issue over there…If you’re like me, your tendency is to try to carry the load all on your own, until you become buried under the innumerable burdens you’ve taken on. Exhausted and overwhelmed, you find yourself tackling each item on your plate in turn, but in truth, not doing any if it with excellence. But why? Why do we insist on carrying these impossible loads on our own when we have a God who offers to take it all for us, asking only that we take His peace and REST in exchange? That’s a pretty sweet deal! So, why do we hesitate to take Him up on it? Our habit of doing it all ourselves gets in the way of letting even God take the weight of our load.
The Bible is clear that we must all do our part—in our households and in the church. We all have a role to fulfill within the Body of Christ, and we all know that if we don’t work, we don’t eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10). But the Word also speaks time and again about the value of REST, peace, and, most importantly, balance. (This is a truth that I still battle with at times.)
If you are struggling with your juggling act today, try taking Jesus up on His offer. Leave your burdens with Him, and take a moment to experience His REST. You will be better prepared to face the day, week, month, year ahead with a peaceful heart and a rested soul.
Shine your light!
Exposed: Everything is Illuminated 