Rest for your soul

Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:28-29;“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Have you ever looked for something you lost?

I remember losing my keys one morning. Searching frantically around the house, I kept coming up empty. I dumped the contents of my purse out, only to find nothing. I re-searched my car but still no keys. As I went back into my bedroom for one last look, I got down on my knees and peered under the bed on the off chance they were there. Nothing but dust bunnies.

While down on my knees, it occurred to me, one thing I forgot to do. Ask. I forgot to ask God to help me find my keys. So right there, on bended knee, I folded my hands, bowed my head and prayed. Miraculously, as I finished the prayer, I remembered exactly where my keys were. I think God was just waiting on me to ask for help.

Now, I have lost a new thing, my rest. I need it desperately and yet it eludes me. But here again, I forget to ask.

“God, I need rest for my soul.” 

Jesus said, “Take my yoke and learn from me and you will find rest.”

The definition of the word “rest” is to cease. To cease from work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself or recover strength.

Sometimes, we get so busy we think we don’t have time to rest. There is just too much to do. We forget how to relax. We know we need to refresh ourselves, but we don’t know how. It is interesting that resting actually helps us recover strength. We need rest. We need to relax and we definitely need to recover.

“Take my yoke and learn from me and you will find rest.” 

If you are looking for rest for your soul, there is one place you are sure to find it. If you are weary, burdened and heavy-laden, look no further.

Jesus is the way. He always has been. And He shows us exactly where to find exactly what we need.

When Jesus mentions His yoke, He is talking about a piece you put over your shoulders, like a harness. This yoke attaches you to something.  Jesus is instructing us to attach ourselves to Him. By doing so, we learn from Him, therefore finding rest for our souls. This is a promise.

So the next time you find yourself running on empty, anxious or weary, look to Jesus and ask for help. Make sure you are attached to Him who gives you rest. In fact, Jesus will give you everything you need. Praise be to God!

Meet you back here next week, where we will look at specific ways to find rest for our souls and intentional acts that will make sure we are attached to our only true source.

Let us pray;

Good and gracious God, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus to teach us everything we need to know, even how to rest. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

P.S. Leave me a comment below, because I love hearing from you. Forward this message to a friend that might need some encouragement today. Share on Facebook and tag me in it. Until next time, ask God for the rest you need. -M