When do I get to rest?

and where rest might be found

As we look around at the darkness of this present age, the seemingly natural response to our environment is to despair.

We tend to long for what we imagine would be the best possible scenario for our lives. If that despair does not spiral us into a debilitating depression, it often pendulums the other direction into a “can do” attitude. We say things like “buckle down”, “keep moving” or “pull yourself up by your bootstraps”. We work harder, strive even to live better, eat cleaner and train ourselves to “look on the bright side” or simply not complain as much. There is a gaping hole in this mentality.

A hole that keeps us stuck on the hamster wheel of life; always looking to the next mirage like it will be the one that really is an oasis our soul craves.

We think of ourselves and our capabilities. We want to be strong, to be capable and independent. We have our eyes focused around us; at the wind and the waves of this troubled sea we call life. We must first and only look to Christ. He is all-knowing, all-powerful and always present! He is the way, the truth and the life! And furthermore— He says so and commands us to look to Him.

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

Everyone around us is working today and everyone around Jesus was working then. The Pharisees were working on their righteousness, the disciples were working on their own greatness and everyday people were working to just put food in their kid’s mouths. We want to be the ones that can hold it all together. We crave the idea of bringing something to Jesus. Of claiming His righteousness but showing off our own as well.

Friends, the very first qualification of entering into Christ’s rest is the admittance that we CAN’T do it. We do not possess the strength possible to bring anything to the One who made everything. When we feel the yoke of not only our daily responsibility but the yoke of our own depravity and the need for a greater sacrifice, we can surrender. We do not have to do it all, we cannot do it at all. Surrender to the Lord of Lords and He will give us rest. Look at what He has already done for you. He is the humblest savior; He turns no one away but the proud. We can cast our cares, our worries on Him and He will guard our souls.

This command from Philippians 4:6-7 is truly beautiful:

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Jesus Christ, the great I AM, is giving you a blank check to cast everything on Him. Stop trying to add Christ to your tool belt on how you handle life’s difficult circumstances. “For you died and your life is hidden with Christ in God”(Col. 3:4). We as Believers get the privilege of being the only people on this planet to have rest in our souls, not just today, but for eternity. Praise be to our God.

Keep your hand to the Plow,

Cody