Real Rest

Where do you go when your batteries are low, or drained and you have no energy and your spirits are low?

What do you do when you are burdened and weary and wondering if you have what it takes to keep going?

Sound familiar? Have you been there? Are you there now?

Jesus understands those feelings. He offers a suggestion.

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me — watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." (Matthew 11:28-30 The Message)

Jesus said, "Come to me." Sounds like He may be saying turn down the noise. Shut off the racket. Get away from the crowds. Go to Him. Go to where He is. Spend time with Him.

The passage expands the thought when He says, "Get away with me and you'll recover your life." Sounds like it is not going to happen unless we do what He says, "Get away with Him." We need to be alone with Him.

"Walk with me and work with me — watch how I do it ... Keep company with me ..." You cannot walk with someone when you are not with them. You cannot watch how they work from a distance. Jesus wants us to walk with Him, watch how He lives and works.

All those things require something of us that we are reluctant to give: our time. Our complete and undivided attention is what Jesus is asking of us. As hard as it may be to give it, it is obvious that we cannot receive the benefits unless we go with Him, walk with Him, keep company with Him, and watch how He works.

What is the promise?

"I'll show you how to take a real rest."

"You'll learn to live freely and lightly."

That's what we are looking for — real rest. The free life. There it is. Right there in our grasp.

All we have to do is go to Jesus.

Sounds like it is worth the sacrifice.

Let's go. Let's rest. Let live. Let's spend time with Jesus.