#finding rest

Vern begins each morning under the covers, acting like he doesn’t want to get up. And do you blame him? But as adorable as he is, he’s usually picked up and taken to the living room where he finds his next resting location. Observing Vern’s behavior has provoked me to think about what motivates me to do the things I do on a daily basis. Why do I choose to pour my time into certain activities…

Finding Rest in God's Presence

Are you running on empty, feeling like you're constantly busy but never truly at peace?

In our hustle culture, rest has become a luxury we think we can't afford. We wear busyness like a badge of honor, filling every moment with activity, productivity, and noise. But somewhere in the endless cycle of doing, we lose the art of simply being. Jesus offers us something our souls desperately crave – true rest that goes beyond sleep and reaches into the depths of our spirits.

Matthew 11:28-30 contains one of the most beautiful invitations in Scripture: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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." This isn't just physical rest – it's soul rest, the kind that refreshes your entire being.

The Hebrew word for rest, "sabbath," doesn't just mean stopping work – it means wholeness, completeness, and peace. When God rested on the seventh day, it wasn't because He was tired; it was because His work was complete and perfect. He invites us into that same sense of completion and satisfaction, not based on what we accomplish, but on what He has already accomplished.

Psalm 46:10 commands us to "be still, and know that I am God." In the original Hebrew, "be still" literally means "cease striving" or "let go." It's an invitation to stop trying to control everything, fix everyone, and manage every outcome. True rest comes when we release our grip on life and trust God's capable hands.

Many of us struggle with rest because we've confused our identity with our productivity. We believe we're only valuable when we're useful, only worthy when we're working, only loved when we're performing. But God's love for you isn't based on your output – it's based on His character. You are beloved in your being, not just your doing.

Jesus modeled the rhythm of work and rest throughout His ministry. Luke 5:16 tells us that "Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." Despite the pressing needs around Him, the crowds demanding His attention, and the urgent nature of His mission, Jesus prioritized time alone with the Father. If the Son of God needed rest, how much more do we?

Rest isn't selfish – it's stewardship. When you're running on empty, you have nothing to give others. When you're stressed and overwhelmed, you can't love well, serve effectively, or hear God clearly. Taking time to rest and recharge isn't taking away from your service to others; it's preparing you to serve them better.

Creating rhythms of rest requires intentionality in our fast-paced world. Schedule time for silence, solitude, and stillness just as you would any important appointment. Turn off devices, step away from demands, and create space for your soul to breathe. Even Jesus needed to withdraw from the crowds to reconnect with the Father.

🕊️ Introduction: Whatever is on your mind… matters to God. Sometimes you may feel like talking for hours. Other times, you may simply need to sit in silence.Wherever your heart is today—invite God into this moment. Let your thoughts, your pain, your praise, and your silence become sacred ground. He is here. 🙌 Honor God “God, holy is Your name! You are worthy of all honor, glory, majesty, and…

The Trap of Weariness Weariness is more than physical exhaustion; it’s a spiritual battleground. When we are worn down, the enemy seizes the opportunity to whisper condemnation, filling our minds with thoughts of failure, regret, and self-doubt. The “could haves, should haves, and would haves” become chains that bind us, reinforcing the lie that we are beyond hope. But dwelling on what we cannot…