Rest In His Embrace

Come to me all of you who are tired. You are like people who have worked for a long time. You are like people who have carried heavy things. Come to me. If you do that, you will find a place to rest. ²⁹ Do what I teach you to do. Listen to my message and learn from me what is true. I am very kind and I do not make myself important. I will help you. Then you will have peace in your mind. ³⁰ I will not tell you to do things that are too difficult. I will not tell you to carry anything that is too heavy for you.’ Matthew 11:28-30

Have you ever felt like your were stuck on  a human Hamster Wheel? You’re so focused on trying to get things done, you don’t even see what’s passing you by. Yet every day is the same, you keep at it, you’re exhausted, but nothing changes, everyday you it seems like it was the day before. As my Mom used to say, “I’m so far behind, I’m seeing  my own back!”

So what are we supposed to do when we find ourselves at that point? We don’t have time to take a day off, but truth is we aren’t that busy that we can’t spend at least fifteen minutes in the presence of the Lord. And if you can’t spend that, then prepare yourself for a long time off, because something is going  to give and it probably will be you. they human body wasn’t created to sustain that long of a time of stress. So my suggestion is to really listen to today’s passage.

As you read it, picture Jesus Himself speaking to you in His calm, reassuring, encouraging and loving voice. He is gently beckoning you to just stop for a few minutes, get off the wheel and just let Him embrace you. He’s holding  you in such a loving  way, you feel your body relaxing, your breathing is slowing and you’re realizing the world is still spinning, but you’re not. You’re mind is finally resting and you are able to hear Him say, “You’re doing well, you’re not alone, I Am with you, let me calm your heart and mind.” And when we do, we will be encouraged to go on. Our pace has slowed, our mind has become clearer and everything no longer is a priority. Strangely, we begin to see things are being completed simply because our focus has changed from what we need to do, to Who we are doing it with and it’s keeping us on track. Working harder and faster isn’t the answer. Doing  life with Jesus is.