Rest

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28, NIV).


Life sometimes overwhelms. At times it drains and exhausts. When I am tired, life can deplete what little strength I have left. “Come to me,” the Lord whispers. “Bring your weariness from your burdens, and I will give you rest.” I go to Him for perfect rest. But I don't just go. I wait. I seek His presence. I let go of all that pulls me down and drains my heart and spirit. And I stay with Him. I stop all that rushes my mind, races my impatient heart, and disturbs my spirit. I go to Him because I know that He alone is my help in my time of need, and the restorer of all that is broken in my life. He is unchanging in His presence. His love is constant. His comfort is constant. He soothes all that tears me apart. I give Him my weary heart and my burden. I lay them down upon His altar and wait until His peace fills every crevice of my tired and hurting soul. He is my respite from all that would destroy me. He rescues me from my own impatient heart


His rest is fearless. His rest is strength. His rest is patience and peace; my mind is free from thought. Yet in my freedom from thought, my spirit hungers deeply for more of Him. The need to analyze and have answers is gone. His rest supplies all that I lack. His rest is complete, and is all that I need to finish my journey. I rest in Him until He shows me it is time to go again―until my spirit sings with His strength and purpose.


Whatever your struggle or pain or heartache or want, rest in Him until you are strong again, and your spirit is renewed. Be still and patient; know that He is your God. Leave your burden at His feet. He will lift your head up again. He will raise you up. He will speak hope to your defeated spirit. You are rich in Him, and He will supply all your needs. You, too, will rise again in His strength and purpose.