Rest

A few weeks ago while I was spending time with God, I asked myself what was going on.  I was sensing a lack... a need.  I felt desperate for something.  Was is satisfaction? significant? security? discipline?  None of those quite fit.  Then I hit on it - rest.  I wanted "a break".  There was some unrest in me and I wanted it to end.  I knew where to turn - to God and His Word.

I remembered a chorus I had sung in a church we visited a few years ago.  It impacted me greatly and has stuck with me since.  The words - "Find rest once more, O my soul.  For the Lord is good." -  went through my mind.  And then I remembered Jesus' words:

Matthew 11:28-30
"Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." 

Two phrases stood out:
"I will give you rest."
"You will find rest."

Rest is a gift from God that we receive when we come to Him in our weary, burdened state.  I have experienced this as the gift of God revealing His love, goodness, and power to me.  I have been comforted and able to be still before Him.

Rest is also something we find when we yoke ourselves to Jesus and learn from Him.  When we submit ourselves to His Lordship and walk in His ways, there is a reliance on Jesus that enables us to cease striving and fretting.  We find rest for our souls when we live within the limits of being yoked to Jesus.  He is God.  We are not.  He is leading.  We are following.  He is the teacher.  We are the learners. We find rest when we embrace the humility of Christ. 

May you experience rest in Him - both given and found - as you journey through this week.

in Christ,
Tracy