We live in a time that can be overwhelmingly stressful. Day-to-day problems and struggles add to our burden. We often allow our thoughts and worries to control us.
But Jesus comes to us quietly and softly and gives us a different invitation.
Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
Jesus invites us to step away from our worries and day-to-day problems and have rest. Not a rest the world gives us, but true rest and an inner peace that only comes trust in Jesus.
When the storms of life are raging around us, Jesus says, “Peace, be still.”
In verse 29, Jesus calls us to take his yoke (put down our burdens). He is lowly and gentle of heart and gives us rest.
Rest will come when we step away from the burdens we carry. The last few years have been hard for all of us. Our thoughts are heavy with health concerns, safety concerns, financial challenges and general instability.
Our constant “on” lifestyles make social media, news, technology, and political debates a focus. We easily get consumed by all the information we see and hear. We must discipline ourselves to leave the problems.
We must choose to focus instead on the soft voice of Jesus. He is calling us today.
Jesus calls us to live differently.
Jesus wants us to have rest.
How do we have rest in Jesus?
We lay out burdens and worries at the feet of Jesus. We pray and cast our cares on him (I Peter 5:7). He cares for you, so much more than we will ever understand. He loved you so much he gave his life that you might live.
We can trust Jesus to take care of our needs. We take the focus away from ourselves and look to Jesus. He is the creator of the universe and he provides for all from the abundance of this creation.
