Daily Devotionals

Rest for the Weary

Posted in Peace/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)

“I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.” (Psalm 3:5)

 

“Come to Me, all you who are weary, and I will give you rest.” This is one of the most familiar pieces of scripture to his followers, but how many of us are able to step away from the rat race and rest in his arms? While resting with God should be the easiest and most natural thing to do, a lot of us wear so many hats we simply do not fit it into our lives.

 

This summer, I gave birth to our second child. Prior to going on maternity leave, I told myself that this time I would do all of the things a new mama is told to do. I would sleep when the baby sleeps, let the housework fall to the wayside and focus on rest. However, once I was discharged from the hospital, I found it difficult to stick to these best laid plans. Lists of projects fill my days, and I convince myself that I won’t have the opportunity again to accomplish as much once work resumes. In fact, just tonight, before and after my shower, I peeled wallpaper off of my bathroom walls– a new job to tackle.

 

In the small hours of the night, I am afforded a special opportunity. My son wakes up hungry. I feed him and then simply hold him in my arms. Sleep is imminent for him after a feed, and I am amazed at how his small, perfectly limp body molds to mine. In my arms, he is comfortable, secure, protected. In this time, I breathe in his newborn scent; I marvel at him. My heart is so full. It is in these still moments I wonder if this is a glimpse of the way God feels when we are able to rest in his almighty arms. He wants us to feel at home in his embrace. Shouldn’t we, like a newborn, melt into his hold, immediately relieved of the burdens we carry? Anxiety, fear, and doubt are no match for him, yet how often are we allowing ourselves to just be held? 

 

The rest he calls us to do is, I now see, mutually beneficial. It is an opportunity to spend time with him, and build another facet of our relationship — a bond that is made without even speaking. We are rejuvenated by him, so that we can put aside the noise and chaos that we invite into our lives and focus on his work when we are recharged. It is an opportunity for him to see and smile upon us. It is a sort of quality time with God. While it doesn’t have to occur in the middle of the night, I hope you are able to find a time where you turn to him, lay down your burdens, and just rest.

 

Heavenly Father, you know our prayers before we bring them to you. You know our hearts and the joys and burdens we carry. Help us to recognize our weariness. Help us to remember that you are faithful in providing us rest — that we may come to you as we are and fall into your loving arms. We will wake restored, ready to continue your great work. Amen

 

Submitted by Julia Trippe