What if you’re exhausted and rest feels more like a fantasy than a promise?
If you’re in a place of unrest, of exhaustion or fatigue, I give you permission to close your door right now, grab your favorite mug of coffee or tea, put the phone on “Do not disturb” for a minute, and let the Lord minister to you through His words.
“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.
Pastor Larry Stockstill shared insights from this passage in a sermon about 5 years ago that I have found unforgettable.
Ministry work can be some of the hardest work, and we can get into this mindset that we are working for God. But Jesus never told us to work for God – we are to work with God, and that is where we will find this rest. When yoking oxen together, people would tie together an older ox with a younger ox in the yoke. And the younger ox would be pushing and pulling and straining. But the old ox would be walking at a steady pace, and after several hours, the young ox would settle in to the pace of the old ox – the pace it would need to be able to keep going for long distances. Have we settled into the pace we need to go the distance? Or are we pushing ourselves to do more – be more – work harder, longer hours to “get it all done” because it all depends on us?
Pastor Larry spoke about four keys to REST.
R – Relax in who you are.
E – Examine your heart.
S – Surrender to the will of God.
T – Timing is critical.
A friend and former center director recently shared a hymn with me that she prayed often. It was so powerful, that I wanted to share it with you as well.
My Savior, Thou hast offered rest:
Oh, give it then to me;
The rest of ceasing from myself,
To find my all in Thee...
Learn more about the 4 keys to rest:
This post is adapted from content originally appearing on Care Net's private, affiliate-access website.
Kay Sanford is Care Net’s Conference Administrator.