Where is Your Rest?

"Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up my yoke, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you with find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." - Matthew 11:28-30

Before you go any further, I want you to pause. Re-read that verse as if you're reading it for the first time. Try to ignore the song you learned in Sunday school to memorize it that's running through your head right now. Ask the Lord to give you fresh eyes and go read it again.

For me, this verse tends to be one of those that loses its meaning after a while. When I'm weary and exhausted more than I thought possible, I'm usually not all that encouraged by this verse, if I'm being honest. But that's only because I rarely take it literally.

How often do we come to God only AFTER we’ve dealt with our stress in our own way?

Saturday is for boat rides, shopping trips, naps, reading a book, watching tv, or whatever else you go to for relaxation and relief from the daily grind. Then by Sunday we’ve forgotten how hard it was on Friday and how badly we still need God to move in that situation. What if we flipped the script and went to God FIRST to unwind from a taxing week or a stressful situation?

What if before scrolling through TikTok reels, you opened the bible app and started scrolling through scripture?

What if before watching that new movie you've been dying to watch, you spent a moment just worshipping God for who He is?

What if before kicking your feet up at the pool, you spent some time in prayer over the challenging work week you just had?

If we believe the Bible to be God-breathed and true (which I do), then I believe this practice would change our lives.

I have to admit, I struggle with this too. In fact, just before sitting down to write this blog, I chose to relax for a bit first, only to find that the truth God wanted to reveal to me about this scripture is far more life-giving than just "vegging out."

Though it is a daily decision to choose to go to Jesus first for our rest, I can tell you from personal experience that He never disappoints. I never walk away from reading scripture feeling weighed down by shame or disappointment. I've never listened to a worship song that left me self-conscious and insecure.

Yet often, our chosen avenues of relaxation only add burden to us rather than take it away. Jesus said His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Next time you're feeling weary, go to Him BEFORE anything else and tell me how God restores your soul.