Is Rest a Four letter word?

For some of us, everything in the world is grabbing for our attention. Our work, our kids, our friends, our phone, our emails, pretty much 24/7 we have some thing or somebody wrestling for our focus. So when we think of rest, we can often think of no responsibility or turning our focus off our job, which by the way can be very refreshing for the soul. However, have you ever felt you needed a vacation even after a vacation from your job? Rest for some well-meaning Christians can be a four letter word and their vacations can often be busier in focus than their day jobs.

For the new covenant believer, we are invited to learn from Jesus to find true rest. Today vacations are needed and practiced in our marriage and yet as a young believer I thought I could leave behind the responsibility of learning from Jesus while on vacation. I felt too busy relaxing and being entertained to invite Jesus into my jam packed vacation. All along Jesus was inviting me to learn from him even while on vacation, sometimes near the ocean, and ask Him the hard questions. I found the more real questions I asked Him the more I learned, and the more I learned the more I felt peace and rested. What moment in life have you felt the most rest and peace from Jesus? Were you able to give Him your full attention in that moment? Ask yourself, what would it take to go back to that kind of intentionality from distractions to focus on Rest?

Matthew 11:28-30 ESV

²⁸ Come to me, all 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 The Message

^28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”