Claiming the Gift of Rest

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you
who are weary and carry heavy burdens,
and I will give you rest.” ~ Matthew 11:28 NLT

Summer is here, and there may be vacations, family get-togethers, sports activities and camps for the children ahead.  Almost everyone loves summer.  There exists a strange reality, though. That is, even though one would think that summer would be a time for rest and restoration, more often than we admit, there is an expectation for us to be involved in activities that can leave women exhausted, and even feeling down on themselves.  Notice I said “expectation”.  Who are we trying to please?

We may try to fulfill some false expectation of our own.  We may think that unless we plan and execute fun things for ourselves and our families, we will be seen as letting our children and husbands down. That thinking can leave us open to guilt and disappointment.  Or, perhaps, especially on vacation, our parents, husbands or children cause us to believe that it is our job to keep everyone entertained and fed.  Or, we may experience negative feelings that keep us on our treadmill when we compare ourselves with friends who seem to effortlessly function as hostess, tour guide and social director to their families. Definitely, none of those scenarios create an atmosphere conducive to rest.

I suggest we stop and talk to God.  Do you feel like you are on a treadmill of endless activity with no sign of real rest ahead?  Ask Jesus what keeps you there?  Who are you trying to please?  If it’s not God, feel free to get off the treadmill.  As a Christ follower, no person, nothing but God, should have the power to control us, unless we give it to them. 

Matthew 11:28, above, has been one of my favorite verses for many years. It is an invitation to come, give what is weighing you down to Jesus, and rest in him.  Renounce the fear or lie that is keeping you so tired and burdened, and give it to the Lord Jesus.

Another favorite verse is John 14:27 NLT, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” Once we come to Jesus and give him the lies and fears that are weighing us down, we fill that space with his peace, so they won’t come back.  Jesus’ gift of mental, emotional and spiritual peace lead to true rest in every situation.  

Notice that Jesus’ peace is a GIFT. We don’t have to do anything to earn it or create it on our own.  Just ask Jesus and believe and receive it.  It’s as easy as breathing out and in.  Release (breathe out stress, tiredness, etc.) and receive (breathe in peace).  You can rest, be content and thankful, in that peace.

Dear friends, be blessed as you claim your gift of peace and rest this summer. Remember you are loved, precious, and belong to a compassionate, awesome God, just as you are. No need to be anything, or anyone else.  Believe you are created to trust and rest in your Lord Jesus. And rejoice! Amen.

Mary Sumner ~ July 2, 2024