By: Elizabeth Haarberg

Rest or Move

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

Rest is imperative to receiving what God has for us, but it is also important for recuperating for the next round of life. To move in the form of battle or activity is also critical to live out what God calls us to in life. It is possible that rest and to move tie together beautifully, though.

“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 in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Matthew 11:28-29 English Standard Version

In the verse above, we see Jesus telling us to come to him, and he will give us rest, but the next sentence is a call to action to take the yoke he offers so we can find rest. There is action in rest, a movement toward God that I wonder if we miss at times. There’s not a helpless flailing but an intentional entering in to the Holy of Holies when we are tapped out. When we enter into God’s presence, there’s a change in our atmosphere, our attitude, our outlook in our situation that changes from terminal to eternal.

This type of rest is not taking a vacation to an island or mountains, it’s pressing into the all knowing Creator of the Universe who loves us so much that He will nurture our bodies and minds in a way that no massage or vacation can.

“For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:30 ESV

This is the rest of the story of taking the yoke Jesus offers; it is easy and light. It’s an exchange of burdens that only God can provide us. The return for the pain and hardship in this world is walking on God’s cloud of ease only Jesus can provide.

Today, try actively resting in God, taking Jesus’ yoke, to rise above the circumstances that weigh you down to give you a different perspective and outlook, one that is eternal not terminal.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado