Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Jesus gave no qualifications for the rest he offers. He did not describe any status to obtain, trials to overcome, labors to complete. There are no challenges arrayed outside his throne room designed to test your merit. The only thing he requires is that you come to him.
At face value, this is a simple choice, but, for many of us, it proves to be a stumbling block. You see, coming to Jesus for rest means abandoning other “self-soothing” alternatives to which we have grown accustomed. It means forsaking vengeance to rest in the Lord’s justice. It means laying down the love of money to rest in the Lord’s provision. It means sacrificing a need for control to rest in the eternal wisdom of a loving Father. Yes, it seems a simple thing, but it is not always easy. Vengeance, money, control – often our fingers are wrapped so tightly around them that we find it difficult, even painful, to let go. This is to our detriment.
Friends, this is an invitation to rest. Your savior, who loved you unto torturous death, offers peace beyond any vice, crutch, or self-soothing mechanism you can muster.
Come to him today; lay your familiar burdens down and delight in the rest he freely gives, a rest crafted in the light of Heaven. Rest for your soul.
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