Are You Weak And Burdened?

Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

“Come to me,” Jesus says.

“Okay!” I answer. “I’m coming!” I say it right back when I am weary and am carrying heavy burdens. It feels so good to drop them and run to Him!

Where do you and I find rest? I am talking about real rest—rest in the midst of a full schedule; rest in the midst of mourning a loved one’s death or enduring the weariness of a lingering illness; rest in the midst of good things, too, like work and marriage and motherhood and looking after our households.

How do we find rest when our schedule is packed? When we’ve been up all night with a sick child? When cancer treatments and medication keep us awake? Or when personal grief causes us pain so deep that we wonder if we can make it through the next day?

Rest can seem elusive when we have been in an accident or circumstances prevent us from fulfilling a responsibility. Where’s the hope of rest then?

For each of those situations, as well as for everything else that comes up, we find rest in Jesus. Only He can give us all the resources we need to accomplish what He has given us to do. He gives abundantly of His Spirit. Living refreshed by Him, we can flavor this hurting world and whet the appetites of others so they can find rest in God alone too!

Our rest is in Him! Say, “Okay, Lord. I’m coming!” Treat yourself to a few physically restful moments today. Curl up on the couch with a warm drink and read through a few psalms. Talk with Jesus and thank Him for providing perfect rest, even in the midst of any unrestful present circumstances.