“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest….” Matthew 11: 28
How many people do you know who convey a balanced life? For most of us, the demands of the world keep us running daily, even if we daily ask God in prayer to lead us only into His will for our time. It’s no coincidence God created the 7th day for Sabbath rest. What does that look like in New Testament times? Jesus fulfilled the Law, yet the Father established that Law for our good, to set His people apart. God created us to need a day each week to rest, truly rest from our labors, rest in His presence. In the 21st century we fill our weekends with commitments at church, sports, errands, homecare, and maybe even work. When do you rest? Beyond resting/trusting in Him in all circumstances (which is a primary interpretation of this text), when do you allow the voices of the world, the commitments and tasks-that-need-to-be-done, to be turned off? In our society, based on the American work ethic, life is performance-driven: what did I accomplish today? It can feel frowned upon to simply BE. But in that being, God leads and speaks, and we can finally hear, hear the voice of our Master, our Shepherd, calling His purposes, His love, His grace out to us. And in that rest we are restored and equipped to better serve Him tomorrow in His timing. Don’t let yourself be robbed of His rest. We are better witnesses of what life-in-Christ looks like when we exude the peace that comes from abiding in Him. Worship Him by resting in His presence.
Lord, I praise Your Name. Your Name is power, Your Name is life. I pledge my allegiance to You, I submit my will to You, I rest in Your presence, Your being. I praise, honor, and glorify You, O Lord Most High, and thank You for being in and with me. I commit to be mindful of You right now.
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13