Rest in Christ

Chuckle: "A nice box of chocolates can provide your total intake of calories in one place. Isn't that handy?"

Good Quote: "You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in you." --St Augustine of Hippo

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28 NIV).

Rest comes to us as Christians when we walk closely with our Lord with an attitude of total dependence upon Him and His strength. Jesus is fully aware of our needs and He provides us a deep well of inexhaustible rest and refreshment. But we must be still and recognize Him as our Lord.

Jesus understands that you may be carrying heavy burdens of (1) sin in your life, (2) excessive demands on your time and energy, (3) oppression and persecution, or (4) just plain weariness. Jesus wants to lighten all these burdens. The rest that Jesus promises includes love, healing, and peace with God, not the end of all labor. His rest is the absence of guilt, worry, anxiety, and lack of purpose.

A close relationship with Jesus Christ changes the meaningless, wearisome toil into refreshing spiritual productivity and purpose. If your life is dedicated to the purpose of loving and serving Him, you will be amazed at the rest and refreshment He will provide even during the most hectic times in your life. He will give you rest both in body and in spirit.

Jesus continues, "Take my yoke upon you and learn of 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 11:29-30 NIV).

A yoke is a heavy wooden harness that fits over the shoulders of oxen. The yoke is attached to a piece of equipment such as a plow or a wagon for the oxen to pull. Jesus pictures such a yoke as extremely heavy and burdensome. But then He contrasts it with the yoke He asks us to bear as His followers which is light and restful in comparison. His yoke is lighter and not burdensome because it is His strength that does His work through us. When we really love our Lord and want to serve Him, He will always amaze us with His rest, refreshment, peace, and contentment.

 Love, Jerry & Dotse