Do you feel like you’re drowning? One thing after another keeps coming at you like huge waves, threatening to destroy the fragile hold you have on life. The careful balance that you’re trying to keep flounders. You barely have time to gasp for air before diving back into the fray, such as trying to finish college, chauffeur the kids around, or meet your work deadlines.
But oh, your sister needs you to find a recipe and your friend wants you to have some fun once in a while — and wait! — did you get gluten-free bread for the boy you’re babysitting? What’s the brand again?
Jesus had a few busy years, too. He was constantly traveling, speaking and teaching, managing his disciple’s arguments, and feeding and healing thousands of people. Just before today’s passage, his cousin had been murdered. He was in the middle of a storm, both literally and metaphorically.
So he slept. He rested in the midst of chaos. Don’t you wish you could do that?
The truth is, we can rest. We just have to know how. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” The way to rest in the midst of chaos is to go to Jesus. We can go to him and rest because we trust that when we’re in over our heads, he’s in control.
We don’t have to worry. Let’s give ourselves permission to rest our bodies, minds, hearts, and souls. We can rest because we trust in Jesus.
God, help me to surrender my crazy life into your hands. Thank you that I can trust you. Help me to learn how to rest so I can best serve you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Go Deeper — Make a list of everything you have to do today. Now take a deep breath and pray over each one, asking God to provide the correct timing and priority to them, and then relax a bit.
Photo Credit: Bonnie Kittle