What do you think of when you hear the word rest? How about an afternoon nap after enjoying a good meal? Catching some zzzz’s while your little one is at a play date? Taking days off to exhale and be refreshed, or floating in the pool with no schedule to meet? Whatever comes to mind, we all need physical rest to allow our bodies to recoup and be able to get up the next day and do it again!
Jesus extends an invitation to us in Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me and I will give you rest – all of you who work so hard beneath a heavy yoke. Wear my yoke for it fits perfectly and let me teach you; for I am gentle and humble, and you shall find rest for your souls; for I give you only light burdens.” TLB
(The Greek work for rest means to repose, be exempt, by implication to refresh, take ease….rest)
As much as we need physical rest we also need spiritual rest. After we become God’s children He wants us to rest in Him. Beth Moore included the following nine things in one of her studies:
“God wants us to rest in knowing:
- I don’t have to perform for God
- I’m acceptable to God
- I’m not in charge of all my loved ones
- I’ve done everything I know to do in that situation
- I’m exempt from that class or that project
- God will fight for me
- If I obey He will bless
- Who I am and who I am not
- Where I am going….this is not my home.”
We can become exhausted and get tied in knots by forgetting any one of these. I’m sure we all have a membership into the “Yeah, I identify with that_______” We have to remind ourselves daily to whom we belong and rest in that truth and all its promises. Maybe like me you have at times taken three steps forward and then two steps back. Don’t be discouraged. God is always in our corner rooting for us and waiting to help. You and I just have to listen, obey, surrender, and take that next step!!
Blessings
The WM Team
Red Bank Baptist Women's Ministry 