Need a Little Rest?

Have you been feeling rundown lately, tired?  What is it that you need rest from?  Is it your work, family, finances – just what is it?  Take a look into your heart – what is your burden – what care are you loaded down with?  Is it something that is self imposed, imposed by religious expectations, others expectations – what is the source of your burdens?

Jesus said these words,”28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Matthew 11."  Jesus is referring to life, its rules and responsibilities, the cares that fall upon us.  He was speaking of the burdens that come from rules, regulations and expectations that we can’t keep.  Things that result in frustration, quitting and depression.

Acts 15:7-11 speaks of these things, specifically the law of the Jews.  In our lives it might be what society says a good parent/husband/Christian should do for their family, children, work or others.  What do your in-laws think you should be and do?  What about friends and family say success looks like?

Jesus offers rest from all of these different burdens that tug on our life and pull us in different directions to different standards.  Rest from trying to do what you and I are unable to do.  Are you trying to earn God’s favor?  Are you trying to be good enough?  You can quit trying to please men, God and others on terms that are so unrealistic.

Jesus offers salvation in verse 28 and He offers the saved to learn from Him what is really important – what real success looks like.  We need to stop worrying what this world is telling us to do or what they say is important.  Instead learn what Jesus said is important.  To Love God with all that we have and to Love Others the way we have been loved by God and the rest will take care of itself.  He offers us rest from trying earn righteousness and rest from worldly worries.  Not rest from work but rest from futility.

What are you doing because of guilt?  What are you doing because of unrealistic expectations?  what do you need to be trusting God for?

What you need to do is learn who Christ is, what he said was important.  See how he lived for others and died to Himself.  God’s way is living by the power of the Spirit  - in grace – God giving you the desire and power to follow Him!

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

sherman