Find Rest for Your Soul
Most people that I meet are in need of some kind of rest. It might be that they need physical rest. They are working too much, or they are not getting enough sleep. Others are mentally tired because they are worrying about so many things all of the time. The worst cases of those who need rest come when people are under stress all of the time from their family situation or their finances or their job situation. Just suffice it to say that rest is vital for all of us, and we need to find the source of real satisfying rest.
Jesus saw this in His day, even though they did not have all of the things going on that we have today. Also, He knew what was coming for us, so He gave all of us the answer to finding rest. (Matthew 11:28,29) Then Jesus said, "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your soul." This is another precious promise from our Lord. Let's heed what He says.
We are weary because we are carrying heavy burdens by ourselves, and we are not going to Jesus for our rest. Believe me, I have tried watching TV, playing golf, and doing other enjoyable things. They are good in some ways, but they do not give our souls real rest. Our soul consists of our mind, will, and emotions. Only time in close communion with Jesus calms our mind. Only Jesus can bring peace to our frazzled emotions. Only Jesus can give us the power to rule our will, so we do the right amount and not too much.
That is why we need to go to Him to teach us. He is humble and gentle. He really cares about us. He will show us "His yoke" for us. That means what we should be doing in our life, like an ox has a yoke to pull a plow. Jesus can show us if we are trying to do too much, so we can shift our priorities and even get more sleep. He can show us if we need to get another job, and how to solve our family and financial problems by doing things His way. Think about Jesus as He lived on earth. The Bible never says that He got in a hurry or failed to do what the Father wanted Him to do. Yes, he got tired, but He rested and went to the Father every morning for His instructions. We need to go to Jesus and find our rest. Our lives will be so much better.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Matthew 12-14.