Rest for the Weary

Last week, I asked what resting in the Lord looked like for you. For me, it’s curling up with my Bible and a cup of tea, and then asking the Spirit to highlight something for me. I’ll often read a few verses several times to see what stands out to me, praying for God to show me how He wants me to apply those verses in my life.

I’ve been spending time pondering these verses in the last week:

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

- Matthew 11:28-30 ESV

I have always found these words to be so welcoming and encouraging. Jesus’ compassion just shines through them for me.

Look at whom He’s calling to Him here: those who labor and are heavy laden. He knows the weight that we sometimes carry as we try to make our way in the world. Maybe it’s grief, maybe it’s guilt, maybe it’s worry or fear. It doesn’t matter what my burden is; Jesus knows and wants me to bring it to Him. He wants me to let Him carry it for me.

When I get too busy, I can forget that I have someone with me Who wants to help me. I just go from task to task, from project to project, without taking time to catch my breath. I have so much that I want to do that I sometimes ignore my limitations. I go, go, go, until I can't anymore and just get weary of life.

You might be familiar with this pattern.

I've found the solution for me is to regularly schedule time to just rest in the Lord. If I'm in the habit of taking a rest day, then I'm not as likely to fall into the go-go-go rut again. And actually putting these rest days in my planner helps me to be more productive the rest of the time.

Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you;

he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

- Psalm 55:22 ESV

Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.

- Psalm 116:7 ESV