Rest

I am bombarded with ads on Instagram. Sometimes I don’t even realize it. All of a sudden I find myself wanting a beautiful, ceramic all-in-one pan and wonder where that desire came from. But recently, I started to notice what instagram was trying to sell me on. As I would scroll, I would come across beautiful vacation homes. Game rooms, private pools, hot tubs, exotic locations, mountain views, beach front, indoor slides, themed rooms. These homes have it all. ⁣

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Instagram is trying to sell me on a vacation. It’s fun to dream. But what are they really trying to sell me? Rest. ⁣

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I would love a vacation. Of course, that would be incredible. Instagram is exposing my need for rest. A vacation is fun, perhaps refreshing and rejuvenating. But, no vacation can deliver on a promise for real rest. ⁣

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We were created to need rest. We are finite. Our bodies and minds need rest. Our souls do too. ⁣

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How can we rest when we can’t afford a vacation, when the stress of life is overwhelming, when the needs of those around you are unending?⁣

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Spiritual rest is not passive. It requires discipline. I used to think rest was a nap or some quiet. These may be helpful, but are not the whole picture. Rest is found at the feet of Jesus. This kind of rest can be found in the midst of any pain, fear, hardship or challenge. It doesn’t require lots of time or anything fancy. Pursuing rest at the feet of Jesus requires an honest heart and open hands. ⁣

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As we come to God with our honest fears and grief, concerns and questions, our souls can find rest. As we share our hearts with Him, in humility and honesty, we find rest.⁣

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Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30).

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