Two-minute read.
People followed Jesus wherever He went, in crowds numbering in the thousands. Everywhere the Savior went, people cried for His attention, and He gave it to them, willingly and with kindness. But Christ also knew that to serve God’s children well, He must center His life on the Father, spending time with Him as well as people. To love God and love others, we must spend time with both. Spending time with the Savior will lead you to quiet places where you can find rest.
Each morning, for longer than I can remember, I spend quiet time with the Lord. No matter what happened the day before, my soul finds rest as I commune with the Savior. Reading His word holds a mirror up to my life, searching my heart and revealing areas I need to repent and receive His grace. Journaling helps me focus my thoughts on God, allowing His Spirit to rejuvenate me. Praying over the day ahead invites the Lord into my life and begins a conversation that will last until bedtime. In my early morning hours, away from the world, I find rest.
“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.”
Matthew 11:28-30
In a world that never sleeps, we can find rest in the Savior. Getting away from the crowds and spending time with the Creator will help you center your life on the Rock, who will give you everything needed to fulfill your purpose. As a flight attendant, they taught the golden rule of caring for others during an emergency. When the oxygen masks fall, make sure to put yours on first; otherwise, you can’t help others. If you can’t breathe, you can’t help others breathe. In the same way, if we don’t find rest and renewal, we can’t serve people for the Lord. Taking care of your needs doesn’t make you selfish. Jesus spent time alone with the Father to do His ministry, and we must do the same.
Plan rest times into your schedule. Spending time with God daily will help you tap into the divine rest He offers. Let the Lord share your burdens, allowing Him to lighten your load so you can love others more fully. Thank God for the rest He gives you, following Jesus’s example of getting away from the crowds and spending time alone with the Father.
Journal Questions:
How much rest do you feel you get?
In what ways has tiredness caused you not to love well?
What can change in your schedule to make rest in the Lord a priority?
Application:
Express gratitude for renewal.
