Today’s Jewel:
Rest
Treasure Map Coordinates:
Matthew 11:28-30
I believe there are two types of people in the world: Those who are personally motivated to workout and those who laugh incredulously at them. Once upon a time, I wanted to be in the first group. I even tried to enter that elite circle. Oh, I tried. Failure followed.
I have learned that if I don’t have an appointment with a trainer, something more important will inevitably steal my time and, “Oops. I can’t go to the gym today.” Even on rare occasions when I have self-willed myself to the gym, I stare at the exercise equipment, wondering which machines I should use to torture my body. Once I claim a seat, questions still plague me: How many reps should I do? How many sets? How many pounds? What exercises should I pair together?
When it comes to working out, I am not too proud to admit that I need help. Given my lack of expertise, I have been utilizing a personal trainer for the last year.
I visit Saira three times each week. Though she exudes a gentle and quiet spirit, she works me hard! Legs, arms, chest, shoulders, back, abs…she tackles it all. As I have progressed in my strength and stamina, I’ve noticed a trend: I don’t get to rest as much as I used to. What used to be minute-long rests are now thirty second rests. Sometimes she doesn’t even let me rest at all between sets. I often ask her if she has forgotten to let me rest. With a smile she replies, “No.”
During my training sessions, rest is a treasure. How much more in life!
Over the last two years, I have worked toward implementing days of rest into each week. To be honest, it has been a struggle. “Struggle” might actually be too kind, because I have largely failed at accomplishing this goal.
Only recently—as my life has fallen back into a structure and routine that I crave—have I intentionally scheduled rest into my week (with great optimism)!
I am motivated and eager to fill the other six days of my week with meaningful activity because I know it means I get to rest on Thursdays. Naturally, it’s the day of the week I impatiently wait for my family members to leave the house. I watch the last one walk out the door, not the least bit guilty about the smile on my face. Leftovers are on the menu for dinner and I have no work to do.
It is, indeed, the one day of the week I eagerly anticipate. The day is all about refreshment and rejuvenation of body, soul and spirit. Usually, this means I spend a large portion of my day engaged in favorite hobbies. I also settle into my favorite recliner and soak up an extra dose of God’s word. At some point in the day, a nap is very likely. I might even watch a movie. If there is something I feel “needs” to be done, I don’t do it.
As I read God’s word, I discover a life-altering truth: I don’t necessarily have to wait for a “day” of rest to have rest. Even in the routine days of life, the Lord offers me rest—a rest much deeper, more necessary and far greater than the rest I receive once a week. Jesus offers me soul rest.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
~Matthew 11:28-30
Rest for your soul. An oasis in the desert of life.
I have yet to meet someone who couldn’t benefit from soul rest. We drive ourselves to the point of “weary and burdened” in part by our own doing, and in part because, well, hard stuff happens. Disease. Abandonment. Unplanned Pregnancies. Death. Job Loss. Infertility. Prodigal Children. Depression. Rejection. Divorce. Strife. Disappointment. Financial Crises. Life struggles beat us down to the point of soul exhaustion.
Jesus lovingly appeals to us saying, “Come to me.”
In The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren noted some folks are “EGR” individuals: Extra Grace Required. They take double doses of our time, telling stories in minute detail. They are often socially awkward. They follow us around like puppy dogs while we desperately try to get everything ready for family night at Vacation Bible School, never asking how they can help. They can be overly sensitive or have explosive tendencies.
These are the people we avoid at church. When we see them in the grocery store, we bolt to another aisle. At home, when their phone number pops up on the screen, we sigh heavily and silence the call.
Dealing with EGR individuals leaves us mentally and emotionally drained. Though we would never say it out loud, they are the people we wish would move to another city. We inwardly think of them as needy, difficult, life-sappers and just plain odd.
The reality is: I am that person. You are that person. We are those people! We are “Extra Grace Required” individuals. Yet Jesus doesn’t avoid us or think we are too much trouble.
Though I am needy, insecure, opinionated, critical, overly sensitive and controlling, Jesus invites me into his arms. He invites me to cast all of my cares and burdens upon him for no other reason except he cares for me (1 Peter 5:7). In exchange for all the weighty stuff of life, Jesus offers me deep, soul-abiding rest for my weary soul. What a loving and gracious Lord!
By no stretch of the imagination is it a fair exchange. Hands down, we have the better end of the bargain. In spite of the unbalanced scales, Jesus willingly makes the exchange. The catch? I must make a move.
Jesus says, “Come to me.” I must go to him.
I’m not going to find soul rest from the things of this world. Admittedly, I have attempted to find rest in front of the television screen and the pages of books. I have offered rest to my soul through salty snacks from my pantry or a conversation with Hubs. I have sought rest through hobbies, and ironically, even through meaningful work.
At the end of the day, however, when I move away from the screen, the page, the salty snacks, Hubs, the hobby or the work, my soul is still troubled. Soul rest is a divine rest and can only be acquired from a divine presence. I must go to the presence of God to find rest for my weary soul.
“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone” (Psalm 62:5a).
For Reflection
① In what ways do you attempt to offer rest to your soul? What are the results of your methods?
② Knowing the Lord willingly accepts you—the EGR person you are—and your troubles, what praise do you have to offer God today?
Bury that Treasure!
”Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28)
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