Rest Takes Work

Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Hebrews 4:11 (KJV)

Please tell me I’m not the only one that needs a nap.

I’m a grown woman, and I know nap times are reserved for babies and kindergarten, but momma tired over here.

I don’t want to complain because I have the most amazing reasons to be tired. My sweet tornado toddler gives me a run for my money. But it’s because she’s healthy and full of life. My home is never clean even though I feel like all I do all day is clean. But it’s because my family has made it a home. My neck and shoulders ache from lifting my arms all day at work. But it’s because I have such wonderful, faithful clients. I have such blessed reasons to be tired.

I don’t want to forget that. But all this goodness is wearing me out. And I think it’s my fault.

Because when I go to God, in tears that I’m exhausted, He asks me tenderly, “When is the last time you came to me?”

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28(NIV)

You see, rest takes work. It has to be intentional. Just like nap times are fit into the schedule when children are little, we still require spiritual nap times with God.

How do I rest if I’m working to rest?

When the Bible says, “labour” to enter into rest, it means that rest is not going to come involuntarily. It’s going to take some effort. Which seems like a contradictory concept.

But I’ve found that when I sacrifice something that drains my energy in order to make time to sit at the feet of Jesus, I am refueled, revived, and ready to conquer more than I could have without the time alone with Jesus.

There is an art to rest. You must practice it. Because when life goes unexpectedly, and our mind is racing and our hearts won’t settle, we need to be skilled in resting. We need to know how to make time for the Almighty. We need to know how to prioritize our emotions and our schedules.

I used to see prayer time or reading my Bible as another thing to add to the to-do list. But really it’s not. It’s in spite of the to-do list. It’s before the to-do list. It’s essential in order for the to-do list to get done. Jesus over everything.

Because without it, our life, our work, our marriage, our family, our joy- it all gets out of order.

If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.

Benjamin Franklin

Plan time to rest. Make time for Jesus. He is where real rest comes from. If you’re heavy, overwhelmed and overworked- turn the TV off, and sit at the feet of the Almighty. I promise you’ll walk away refreshed and lighter.

Nothing in this world can refresh you like Jesus.

You can’t do all day what Jesus can do in you, with just a few minutes at His feet.

Read that again.

All throughout the Bible God is reminding us to spend time with Him. And I can promise you that it isn’t because He needs us. He is God, after all. He is self-sufficient. He can live without us. We, on the other hand cannot live without Him. The beautiful part is He doesn’t want to be without us. He wants time with you, but you need time with Him.

He tells us to come to Him for our sake. Not His. He’s not a checklist item. He’s not looking for a blind religious act. He just wants to help you. He just wants to bless you. He just wants you.

As always, I just want to point you back to Jesus. So as you read this today, take your focus off the chaos of the everyday and look at Jesus. Meditate on His heart for you. Sit in His presence, even if you don’t say a word. Just look at Jesus today. He is where real rest comes from.

Be blessed!