Stop. Breathe. Be still. Sit in silence.

This is one of the hardest things for us to do. We humans like to busy ourselves, run ourselves tired through overcommitments and striving. We busy our minds with all of the concerns about how this or that will get done and adjusting our schedules about a hundred times to fit in every single person, activity, and task we can think of or be invited to.

This is EXHAUSTING. Can I get an amen?

By running ourselves so much and entertaining the distraction of busyness, we lose sight of the rest that is available to us. The rest that silences the loud noise of life. We were not created to bear such a heavy burden. It is not our responsibility to make sure everything works out perfectly or gets done. Yes, we have jobs, commitments, roles to fulfill, etc. However, we often live under the lie that life is completely up to us; we must rely on our own strength and ability to get it all done and accomplished.

Again, this is a HEAVY burden; one that was not intended for us to carry.

God offers us a life of rest. We must fight for this, though, because it is not our natural preference. This invitation of rest comes with a sacrifice of control and busyness. It comes with the price of choosing some minutes of solitude and quiet, some moments of stillness and meditating on His truth. We must remember who He is and who we are. He knows we are frail and unable to manage this world and our lives; that is why He is the Creator and He is sovereign over all and perfectly in control. He is the One who tells the sun to rise and set. He is the One who spoke the world into existence and gave specific purpose to all of His creation. He is God; we are not.

Rest. Why is it so hard for us? I believe it is because we like to be in control and we think we know best. Every day of my life I learn that is just not true, and I realize that deep down I really do not truly want to be in control. That is too big of a job, one that I am not capable of managing.

By His grace, we live and move and have our being.

I have no idea what responsibilities and roles you have. I have no clue where you feel tired and weary. I have no idea what you feel like is up to you or it will all crumble and fail. Wherever you are coming from today, though, I invite you to let Jesus take it. I invite you to lay it down at His feet. I invite you to allow Him to give you His yoke of rest, calmness, and stillness. His presence changes our pace and changes our perspective; our load automatically lessens and feels bearable. He alone is the only One who can offer our hearts and minds the rest that we so often crave and desperately need. He has not forgotten us, and He does not expect us to not need Him. Fun fact, He LOVES our neediness. He created us to need Him; He is our strength. We often forget the strength He offers us because we have rejected the gift of rest He has made readily available to us.

Today, I challenge you to sit. Rest. Read His Truth. Reflect. Remember who He is.

"As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?” 4 These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God with glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival. 5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation 6 and my God." -Psalm 42:1-6

"Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls." -Matthew 11:28

Reflection

What does rest mean to you?

What keeps you from resting?

What does the Bible say about rest (in your own words)?

Where in your life do you need rest?

In your current day to day lifestyle, what are some practical things you can / will do differently to further receive this promised rest?

Worship

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeWuavHf4oY