The Place of Rest

In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus speaks about the importance of rest. He specifically addresses those individuals "who are weary and burdened" and therefore, need to come to Him as the Source of lasting peace and contentment. I like the way Jesus simply says, "I will give you rest." Of course, in coming to Him we must be willing to lay down those things which have become so large in our thinking. In fact, sometimes those things may even have become larger in our thinking than God Himself! How we need to be reminded again and again of who He is and how nothing - absolutely nothing - is too hard for Him to accomplish.

In verse 30 of Matthew 11, Jesus says, "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." This means that if the burden you are carrying is weighing heavy upon your shoulders, than that burden cannot possibly be from the Lord. For Jesus Himself said, "my burden is light." I have had to learn this lessen on numerous occasions when issues in the church, various concerns, problems, differences of opinion, etc. have all worked together to make it seem like there is a great weight one must bear if they are in leadership. But this should not be so! God is bigger - and better - than any "weight" that life should push our way. How good it is to know that in Christ, we can "find rest for our souls."