"A Little R & R"

By: Zach Wood

Matthew 11:28

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

 

 

I do not know about you, but I am a person who enjoys getting rest.  Or, as I have heard it said, "getting a little R & R".  Sometimes in life, all we need is a little rest and relaxation.  It seems this world teaches just the opposite for us.  I think we feel that if we are not hustling and bustling every waking moment, then we are not working hard enough.  I think this is exactly why we do not get the rest we need.  At least, for myself, I know that is my reason.  I make plans to rest my body at night or on the weekend, but things come up and I find myself getting busy with whatever I can find.  It does not make much sense.  I make the plan to rest, but I end up doing other things.  Does that sound like your life sometimes?  Or, should I ask, does that sound like your life right now?

 

This past week, my wife and I both came down with illness.  It is going around.  I had been battling a long cold and she came down with the flu.  I got the body ache flu right after her for a couple of days.  Talk about a couple boring days at home doing nothing but trying to rest.  I think God was trying to tell me something.  I just keep going and going until my body finally shuts down and says, "I NEED REST!" 

 

Sometimes, I think we try to live life and go about life hustling and bustling, just like we physically run our bodies down.  Spiritually speaking, we do so much that we many times leave little room for closeness and quiet time with God.  I know we all battle this challenge.  Each day, I find myself struggling to find time to myself and grow with my Lord and Savior.  Jesus reminds me to bring my burdens before Him and my weariness and He promises to give me rest.  What a relief to know He gives me peace and rest!  Nothing else in the world can calm my spirit like He does. 

 

I feel led in my heart to address all those who are reading this devotional this week that are having a hard time right now.  Maybe you have been battling the cold, flu, or some other sickness.  Maybe you have been battling a sickness for weeks, months or even years.  Perhaps you are battling some craziness in your life and you feel you are about to crack under the pressure and pull your hair out.  You might feel that you cannot handle another situation coming into your life which brings stress.  Remember always that Jesus made a point to get away from the crowds and busyness of life to get His rest and be with the Father.  Just as Jesus did, we must also take time to get away, refresh our souls and get recharged with the Father.  Jesus tells us to come to Him and bring all of our sorrows, burdens and weary souls to Him.  He knows we cannot get the rest and relaxation we need if we do not come to Him and lay it all down.  We all need a bit of R & R, don't you think? 

 

I would encourage you, no matter where you are or what you are battling right now, take the time to be alone with God at some point during your day.  Pour your heart out to Him and ask Him to give you the rest you need and the strength that only He can give you to recharge your body and soul.  May Jesus' words be a comfort and encouragement to you through this passage.