Rest for Our Souls
A couple of days ago I sat down and tried to think of what I could write a blog about as it has been so long since I've written. Nothing came to mind. I asked myself why? I thought of several ideas but none resonated as deeply as this - I was tired. Weary. I just didn't have it in me to write. So I didn't.
But now I am here. Two days later with a spring in my step and a desire to write about what? Weariness. Why? Because we all experience it. Because the Bible talks about it. Because it was my felt need.
Immediately when I think of weariness in the Bible, I hear the words of Galatians 6:9
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
O.K. so I need to watch that I don't grow weary of doing good.... that I don't give up and stop serving the Lord.... but how do I do that?
The words of Jesus speak to me,
"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
What I've noticed is that in my tiredness, I often think it is too hard to come to Jesus, that it is going to take too much time/energy/effort. I resist the thing which is best for me. Maybe this is just the way the sinful nature is.... that it seems to have energy to resist the good but not to go for the good. However, I am not one who wants to "gratify the desires of the sinful nature" (Gal. 5:16) and so I have to make a choice.....against what I am feeling but for what I really want. I turn to Jesus.
Surprisingly, it doesn't take as much effort as I thought it would. Usually I need the support of Scripture or the writings of others (such as blogs!). Sometimes it is through corporate worship or the particular prayers of a friend. Maybe I just pray, "Jesus help me". However it happens, the main thing is that it happens. That I say, "yes" to God. I submit and humble myself before Him. (Isn't that what it means to take His yoke and learn from Him?!)
I know that there are many kinds of weariness and a one-time "coming to Jesus" isn't the solution. What I am suggesting is that every time we find ourselves in a state of weariness of soul, we come to Jesus first. The path He takes us down to restore and renew us will be varied. The important thing is that we walk it yoked to Him.
in Christ,
Tracy
But now I am here. Two days later with a spring in my step and a desire to write about what? Weariness. Why? Because we all experience it. Because the Bible talks about it. Because it was my felt need.
Immediately when I think of weariness in the Bible, I hear the words of Galatians 6:9
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
O.K. so I need to watch that I don't grow weary of doing good.... that I don't give up and stop serving the Lord.... but how do I do that?
The words of Jesus speak to me,
"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
What I've noticed is that in my tiredness, I often think it is too hard to come to Jesus, that it is going to take too much time/energy/effort. I resist the thing which is best for me. Maybe this is just the way the sinful nature is.... that it seems to have energy to resist the good but not to go for the good. However, I am not one who wants to "gratify the desires of the sinful nature" (Gal. 5:16) and so I have to make a choice.....against what I am feeling but for what I really want. I turn to Jesus.
Surprisingly, it doesn't take as much effort as I thought it would. Usually I need the support of Scripture or the writings of others (such as blogs!). Sometimes it is through corporate worship or the particular prayers of a friend. Maybe I just pray, "Jesus help me". However it happens, the main thing is that it happens. That I say, "yes" to God. I submit and humble myself before Him. (Isn't that what it means to take His yoke and learn from Him?!)
I know that there are many kinds of weariness and a one-time "coming to Jesus" isn't the solution. What I am suggesting is that every time we find ourselves in a state of weariness of soul, we come to Jesus first. The path He takes us down to restore and renew us will be varied. The important thing is that we walk it yoked to Him.
in Christ,
Tracy
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