“Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. 29 Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me.30 For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear.” Matthew 11:28-30 (TPT)
Recently, I was caring for my grandchildren. After I put my grandson to bed, he started to cry. Usually he falls to sleep easily. After about ten minutes I walked back into his room and picked him up and rocked back and forth for a minute or two and sang, “Jesus Loves Me” to him. He quieted down and went to sleep.
I could have told him, “It’s time to go to sleep. You need to rest now, so tomorrow you have lots of energy to play.” He could have cared less about my logic at that moment. He just wanted me. He was restless and simply needed my presence. Once he was satisfied in my presence, he was able to rest for the night.
What is that feeling that I feel in my abdomen when everything seems to be grabbing for my attention? Over the years I’ve come to recognize that feeling of stress. People and responsibilities are screaming for my consideration and time. Many thoughts are clambering and buzzing around in my head. I have to make a decision what I am going to give my attention to, and what I have to set on a shelf for another time.
It is times like these that life seems restless. Or should I say, I feel restless. What I need is rest. I have figured out that the place I find my rest is really in a person. I find rest, refreshing, comfort and strength when I spend time with Jesus. Not just reading my Bible (because of some Christian duty), but simply in enjoying His presence. Times of rest in worship, silence, meditating on a scripture, and hearing His voice. His presence calms my heart and soul. My mind, will and emotions quiet inside of me. He is what I need most when life is swirling around me.
Augustine of Hippo said, “Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.”― Confessions In more modern language, “You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless, until they can find rest in You.”
Is your heart restless? Are you feeling weary and carrying a heavy burden? You can join with me in a simple prayer. “Jesus, help me to learn how to rest like You talked about and demonstrated with your life. Jesus, you lived in challenging times, and yet You rested. I want to be like You. I want my heart to be satisfied as I rest in You. I receive Your rest, peace, and refreshing right now. Amen.”
PHOTO By: CassandraHamer@unsplash.com
Comments