January 16 

Is Your Soul at Rest?

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 10:1-10 | Genesis 32:13 – 34:31 | Matthew 11:7-30 | Proverbs 3:19-20

Today’s Scripture Focus: Matthew 11:7-30

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me–watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (Matt 11:28-30 The Message).

Jesus isn’t looking for relentless religious activity. He is looking first and foremost for a relationship with you. Religious activity burns us out. It makes us tired and weary. Trying hard to perform rather than resting in his grace, leads to a treadmill of activity. But it is activity in one’s own strength and for the wrong motives.

Instead of that, Jesus calls you to come rest–to spend time with Him–to get to know him and his ways. Then you walk together in his strength–he comes alongside you and enables you to live and work from his strength, and not just your own.

He is not calling you to laziness, but rather to grace-filled living. Resting in Jesus and his grace, rather than our own strength, our lives find balance and fruitfulness.

I still find it easy to take up the yoke on my own, to try to trudge ahead in my strength. Yet, every time I do, I find myself exhausted and burned out. How about you?

Jesus calls us first to a relationship with himself. Come, find rest for your soul. In his presence, the broken, wounded soul finds forgiveness, healing, and renewed strength. Walking with Him as he bears the yoke, enables us to accomplish much more than we could ever accomplish on our own.

Stop rushing around, and let your soul rest in the presence of the one who loves you with an everlasting love. Refreshed and renewed in his presence, we are prepared for the tasks of the day in the “unforced rhythms of grace.”

Lord of the Sabbath, I am tired and need your rest. I take up your yoke so that we can walk and work together. Teach me the unforced rhythms of your grace. Amen.