Do You Need To Rest?

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’m coming!” I answer when I am weary and am carrying heavy burdens. It is such a relief to drop them at His feet!

Where do you and I get rest? I am talking about real rest—rest that doesn’t seem possible when we look at all the things we need to do. Rest in the midst of marriage and motherhood, work and play, and all the people we love and need to love.

Where do we get rest when we’ve been up all night with a sick child? When cancer treatments and medication keep us awake? When grief from losing a loved one causes pain so deep that we wonder if we can make it through another day? Where do we get rest when we find out we have a terminal illness, or have been in an accident or lost a limb, or cannot fulfill a responsibility because of circumstances in our lives? Where do we get rest when our cups seem to overflow with stuff that should not be in them in the first place and we feel like we are going to crack?

We find rest in Jesus! He is our rest. He is the only One who can give us all we need in order to accomplish what He has given us to do. And He gives with abundance, so that not only will we not crack, but we will overflow with His goodness into the lives of others, flavoring this hurting, isolated world so much that others will find rest in God alone too!

Treat yourself to a few restful moments today. Curl up on the couch with a favorite warm beverage and read through some psalms. Talk with Jesus, and thank Him for providing perfect rest fit for your present circumstances.