There’s nothing quite like a glass of water when you’re parched, food after a long, hungry wait, a bathroom in just the right place, at just the right time.
Quenched. Satisfied. Relieved.
The longer the deprivation, the more overwhelming the relief.
Perhaps you’ve experienced that with rest. You strive, worry, avoid to the point of exhaustion and then collapse into rest—a rest that feels so good you just might find yourself in a little cycle: strive, worry, avoid-crash-repeat.
But what if we could stay in a place of rest?
There are a whole host of things that make ongoing rest difficult and even unappealing: distraction, boredom, restlessness, habit, culture, unfamiliarity and inexperience with the long-term benefits of staying
By all means, let us keep choosing rest when we realize how much we need it, let us keep accepting Jesus’ invitation:
“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 11:28-29 ESV)
But what is even better than coming is staying.
“Take my yoke upon you… learn from me…”
What does staying in a place of rest look like?
What does it feel like?
What are the obstacles and challenges to staying?
What makes it easier?
I invite you to reflect on these questions and I will be back on Friday…