Rest
God designed us with a need for rest. People need a certain amount of sleep each day. The body requires this total rest to restore our energy. Then, we need rest each week from the regular toil of life. That is why God commanded us to set aside a Sabbath day for worship and rest. We, as Christians, set aside Sunday as our Sabbath, since we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on the first day of the week. It still fulfills God's design for us to set aside one day each week.
However, we need even more rest than that. Jesus calls on us all to come to Him for rest in Matthew 11:28-30. He promises to provide our needed rest, if we take His yoke upon us and learn from Him. This is an excellent word picture. Jesus is our Lord, and He tells us to take His yoke. We are the oxen to pull the plow. He is the farmer. He is saying that if we do what He tells us to do, we will not get worn out, because His yoke is easy and His burden is light. He does not seek to wear us out, because He is gentle and lowly in heart. He is not a hard task master. He cares for us.
Why then are people so stressed and worn out today? Could it be that we are wearing the yoke of the world? Could it be that we are doing all that we want to do, and all the world expects us to do, too. Then, when we try to take His yoke, we are worn out. I believe this is the problem. It might be why many people turn to yoga. They need rest. However, just like the peace we talked about yesterday, Jesus is the source of "rest for your souls." If we follow His will our mind, will, and emotions will not be stressed out. We will do just the right amount, and we will do it at His direction. Therefore, in Christ we can have peace and rest. That is a wonderful combination.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Zechariah 14 and Malachi 1-4.
However, we need even more rest than that. Jesus calls on us all to come to Him for rest in Matthew 11:28-30. He promises to provide our needed rest, if we take His yoke upon us and learn from Him. This is an excellent word picture. Jesus is our Lord, and He tells us to take His yoke. We are the oxen to pull the plow. He is the farmer. He is saying that if we do what He tells us to do, we will not get worn out, because His yoke is easy and His burden is light. He does not seek to wear us out, because He is gentle and lowly in heart. He is not a hard task master. He cares for us.
Why then are people so stressed and worn out today? Could it be that we are wearing the yoke of the world? Could it be that we are doing all that we want to do, and all the world expects us to do, too. Then, when we try to take His yoke, we are worn out. I believe this is the problem. It might be why many people turn to yoga. They need rest. However, just like the peace we talked about yesterday, Jesus is the source of "rest for your souls." If we follow His will our mind, will, and emotions will not be stressed out. We will do just the right amount, and we will do it at His direction. Therefore, in Christ we can have peace and rest. That is a wonderful combination.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Zechariah 14 and Malachi 1-4.