I had written this blog right before I had heard of the Corona Virus....wow! I think it is very fitting for now. While, we have slowed down, we still need to slow our minds down and rest in Jesus.
I like what someone posted on social media recently: "Girl, read your Bible. You can eat all the kale, buy all the things, lift all the weights, take all the trips, trash all that doesn't spark joy, wash your face and hustle like mad, but if you don't rest your soul in Jesus, you'll never find peace and purpose." I find that I feel guilty to lay down and rest - even if Mike is doing that on Sunday afternoon. I think of all the other things I should be doing. For the past few years I have tried to listen to my body about being weary and burdened. Sometimes it comes with a physical tiredness but often times it is a mental unrest for me.
Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” This does not sound like a suggestion but a command. Rest should not be a guilty pleasure.
It’s not a sign of weakness; it’s simply part of being human. This rest we need is grace filled and reminds us that we are dependent on God, who is much stronger! Our energy levels often remind us of that. Jesus invites us to come to Him when wee are overburdened. He promises to refresh us. He is commanding us to lay down and burdens and rest our souls in Him. Trusting Him with our lives. He does this because He cares for us. 1 Peter 5: 7, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
Psalm 23: 1-2, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters." This is one of the most well known verses of the psalms describing how God loves and cares for us. David identifies God as "my shepherd", our own personal shepherd. A shepherd we can have a close relationship with.
We will not be in want because God knows exactly what we need when we need it. We can trust Him to supply all of our physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
Are you weary and burdened? Come rest in Jesus. This rest that He gives us is a rest that is all-consuming. A rest we feel in our minds, bodies and spirits when we trust God fully.