Our God of Rest
How much rest do you get? How much rest do you need? Do you find your relationship with God restful or burdensome? Do you need the rest of God?
Most of the time we are living in a rest deficit. Many of us are tired and weighed down. The burdens of outward expectations and internal pressures can be overwhelming. Unreasonable and man-made religious burdens can also be overwhelming. It can be a daunting task to get relief and rest.
However, our God is the God of rest. Our relationship with God should not be burdensome or heavy but an easy load, complete with margin and rest.
This is why Jesus proclaimed his easy and restful burden in Matthew’s gospel account when he said, “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, ESV).
When we come to Jesus in our overburdened and weighted state, Jesus gives us his rest. When we take on Jesus’ expectations and requirements, they are not too heavy for us. We have margin and rest in Jesus.
When we come to Jesus we learn of his expectations and desires, which are not too laborious for us. Jesus’ teaching and required tasks are gentle and humble, because Jesus is gentle and lowly in heart. This is why we will find rest for our souls in him.
May we find the rest we desire in our God of rest as we take on the easy burden of Jesus.
A Collect for the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, or the Fifth Sunday after Trinity (Proper 9): “Grant us, O Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who can do no good thing apart from you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Book of Common Prayer, 2019).
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