RESTING
In this high paced world, how do we find a rest in our lives where we can be refreshed and renewed? Have you ever heard someone, even yourself say, “I’m tired, I need a vacation.”? We looked forward to time off only to return and feel like we still need a vacation to recover from our vacation. All the activities in and demands on our lives overwhelm us if we allow them to. Activities in life always seem to expand to fill the available time. This is typical of almost any chapter in my own life. May I suggest that the answer isn’t in escaping, but in learning how find rest in the middle of daily life.
I find Jesus’ words have refreshing accuracy right here in today’s world. He calls us to rest, both in Him and in His labor. Matthew 11:28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Jesus calls us to Himself, to bring Him our labors and burdens. This can be both physical labors and the burdens of our souls. Often the heaviest burdens are the emotional loads we carry from life. This includes our efforts to try and please God or earn His acceptance. But here He offers a free gift, without cost, to lay down the weight of our souls and receive His rest.
Additionally, there is a second rest, one that is linked to taking up our side of His yoke and working with Him. Jesus continues: (29-30) “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” He will guide us and teach us how to handle the yoke. He is the master teacher and His gentleness and humility are part of the training we receive as we work side by side with Him. As we walk with Him, we will find additional rest and joy in life, even while we do His work and carry His yoke. Like gravity, it strengthens us and empowers us to do more.
Do you remember first learning this? As a young adult, to be able to work and be part of something bigger than yourself was exciting. There is deep joy in getting work accomplished. As we do His work, under His yoke, we accomplish more than we ever know for God’s kingdom and will be energized at the same time. So, we find rest in the middle of our overextended lives by coming to Jesus with our burdens and entering into His work right beside Him.
Additionally, He encourages us to honor Him one day of the week, the Sabbath. The Sabbath is set aside for us to rest, not to just do as we please or to be hog-tied to some legalistic version of what we have to do to please God. It is to purposely take time with the Lord away from the pressures and demands of life. This rest, when balanced with relationship with God and fellow believers, can deeply refresh the soul and body. Hebrews 4:9-10 “So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.”
If you are worn out, don’t run from the stress; rest with Jesus in the middle of it!
Bob Hardin
Director – NWBCC
Testimony
· During the final day of counseling a lifetime stronghold of fear was broken… I was set free from fear, knowing the Lord can be trusted.
“A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.”
Nelson Mandela, former South African president