"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Jesus was offering to anyone who would come to Him the promise of true rest. People are tired today because of a multitude of reasons. We live in a culture of electronics where we can be plugged in 24/7. We can be worn out by never ending email, by text messages, by demands on our time by the boss, the family and expectations from all kinds of directions. We become weary when we don’t allow the Lord Jesus to show us how to rest in Him and follow Him into a life of cooperating with the powerful working of His Holy Spirit.

In the times of Jesus, there were some who were worn out by the expectations of a religion that placed unnecessary demands on people to live up to a standard that was unreachable and sometimes confusing and hypocritical. Jesus offered a relationship rather than a legalistic religion that couldn’t be lived out. The Message Bible puts it this way:

"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."

I want to walk in that freedom that Jesus talks about here. Living for Jesus does require sacrifice, but the alternative of living for self and chasing an unreachable fulfillment outside of relationship with Jesus would be far more difficult and heavy in the long run.

I am reminded here that true rest is found in coming to Jesus every day and going His way. I get tired when I end up spending too much time on things that draw me away from the things God wants me to do. I know I won’t have true rest unless I am in daily relationship with Jesus and responding to the adventure of life and service that He has for me. He shows me how to have proper rest by cutting out things in my life that drain me, and discerning how to use my time so that I am restored and revitalized in His presence. If I cooperate with what He’s doing in my life, I find the power of the Holy Spirit assisting me in everything I do.

Lord Jesus, thank You for always being there to touch me with your grace and rest. I accept your invitation to that place of rest and peace that is found in your presence. Fill me with your Holy Spirit today and help me to move with You to accomplish your purposes in and through my life.