By: Elizabeth Haarberg

Refresh

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

I’m tired. Not just lay down and sleep tired but tired to the bone. The schedule I’m on this fall has left little time for me to rest. I would love to stop the activities but sometimes we have to sacrifice for a little while. So what is my plan to refresh?

“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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 English Standard Version

I have been resting in Jesus throughout the day to refresh because I know He is the living water.

“…but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14 English Standard Version

Jesus is the living water and our refreshment. Resting in Him is where we connect with the Holy Spirit in us. This renews our spirit and soul so we can continue in our journey with Him. We are totally dependent on Him for everything, including rest, even if we don’t realize it.

The world wants us to stay distracted on the wheel of business and not get off. Even if we can’t shut down completely, we can rest in Jesus and let the world stop spinning for a bit. Re-centering ourselves in His presence unleashes the fruit of the spirit in us that He is waiting to give us. The refreshing God has for us doesn’t take any energy or striving on our part; it just takes surrendering ourselves to God so he can come and work in us. All He asks is that we just be with Him.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado