By Katy Mariotti

He Brings Peace

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 English Standard Version

I have two confessions for you. The first is that I am not a morning person. I’d much prefer to stay up late and sleep in than get up early, and mornings usually find me moody even when I have slept enough. The second confession is that despite living nearly my whole life in Colorado, I hate to drive in the snow. Over time, I’ve improved greatly at it, but if I have to drive and the roads are icy, I am filled with anxiety.

We recently had a snow storm that dumped a foot of snow on us and had a glorious Saturday sleeping in and playing outside. It was such a happy day, but the happiness soon became overshadowed by the fact that I was going to have to wake up early the next morning to sing at church and drive in the early morning ice. I began to feel quite grumpy and went out to finish shoveling the driveway.

As I shoveled, I thought of something my husband had told me. He used to also feel grumpy about getting up early for church but had heard a message from our pastor that reminded him that our rest is in the Lord. I took a hard look at my attitude and tried to make the switch from grumpy and anxious to at least accepting. It worked somewhat, and in the morning when I left I did not feel the dread I was expecting.

Not only was I rewarded with the incredible view of the snowy mountains against the blue sky, but more importantly, I got to hear God’s Word and praise Him through song.

God guides us to Him as our Father, who wants the best for us, and knows that following Him will bring us rest and peace. I pray that we remember to look for our rest in Him.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado.