Spring is here in most places in the world and that means vacation time for many. Why do we take vacations? Isn’t so that we can “rest” from our work and our regular duties of life for a little while? We seek to be refreshed by a change. But, as it so happens, sometimes we return from vacation and find that we are still weary. The change of scenery and the rest we hoped for eluded us. What could have been missing from our vacation? Could it have been Jesus?

Jesus was praying on behalf of his disciples and followers in the future. He said in Matthew 11:28-29, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

Jesus is showing us a picture of those who are very weary! They are so tired that they feel that they cannot go on. They are living out their lives under extreme pressures or heavy burdens. Some of the things that can bring exhaustion are too much work to do, fleshly pleasure, sin, guilt, unsatisfying material possessions, the loneliness of power, discouragement, the storms of life and so forth. We might say that these folks need a vacation! But, that was not Jesus’ invitation. He invited the weary to come to Him! Why? The weary are called to come to Jesus because He will give them rest!

The weary do not need to struggle to come to Jesus. They simply just need to come. Jesus gives the weary the rest of salvation when they put their trust in Him. Jesus has paid all the penalties for past, present and future sin. He can bring peace to every burdened heart and free the soul for eternity! Jesus does not call us to a rest of inactivity. He gives us the rest of satisfaction or completeness. This is a rest that refreshes one’s body, mind, and spirit. It brings new inspiration and purpose to one’s life. This is a rest of encouragement and motivation. This rest infuses new energy and enthusiasm into a person to pick up their God-given task and fulfill it. There is no burden in this. There is peace and rest. As we follow Christ’s example, we learn how to live within His rest and under His leadership. The important thing is that we heed Jesus’ invitation to come to Him for our rest! Jesus’ rest is truly the best vacation that we could ever experience!

Are you weary? Do you feel like you need a vacation? Escape to the presence of Jesus, allow Him to refresh you,revive you,repair you and make you better than new again! Repeat this simple prayer, Dear Jesus, I am a sinner in need of your saving grace, I am unable to save myself and unable to refresh my self, I’ve grown weary, the pressures,demands,problems and challenges of life often seem like they are too much to bear, I invite you to come into my life to become my personal Lord and Savior, teach me how to rest in you, teach me what I need to do and how I need to do it, then please dear Jesus, I humbly ask you to give me the time to be able to do this, and I ask that you have patience with me as I try and learn how to do this, in your name, I ask and pray! Amen!

#wearywhenfollowingJesus

Author –  Pastor Kay Singley