Tired of Toiling

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28

I am tired today.

It is never good to wake up tired. Life is really busy for us, Crusade has been really busy for us and life doesn't seem to care. There are still fires to put out, bills to pay and our little rascals aren't saying, "Mommy and Daddy seem really overwhelmed with life right now, let's take initiative to stop fighting over everything, clean up our rooms, dress ourselves and fix breakfast."

I have talked to a lot of tired people lately. Weary people. It is epidemic. I remember my sister-in-law quoted her pastor one Sunday saying, "The enemy wants to wear you out." That has really resonated with me. Yes, he does. The enemy wants to wear us out, overwhelm us, crowd our calendars, pack our to-do lists, and exhaust us. So today I am mad about it and I am done with him.

I am greedy when it comes to gifts the Lord has given me. I want them all. And today I want my rest. Because he gave it to me. He died for it.

So the next few days, this is where I land. Reflecting on Jesus' promise to give me rest for my soul.

Matthew 11:28 says, "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest." Here I come, Lord.

Weary in this passage means, "tired with toil." Now, "toil" isn't a word I use in my everyday vernacular, but it is very descriptive of where I am. Nothing HUGE has happened in life right now to wear me out. It isn't one thing. It is just I am tired from all my toiling!! So I am fitting the bill. But.... Glory to God, Rest in this passage means, "freedom from activity, toil or labor; peace of mind or spirit." This is the best part...rest also means, "to permit one to cease any movement or labor in order to recover and collect his strength. To refresh."

Now you and I both know, we can't stop movement in daily life. But Jesus is saying to us....Come to me all you who are tired with toil and I will permit you to refresh so you can recover! Collect your strength in Jesus! Hallelujah!

How am I going to to this today, Lord?

I am going to think on you instead of my weariness. I am going to be thankful we have a ministry to do, a house to clean, money to pay our bills, food to prepare, and a grandmother to visit. I am going to go over my to-do list with you. You want to hear all about it. I am going to walk this thing out with you instead of my own failing strength. I am going to get out of my head and into your Word. I am going to praise you with song. Reflect on your goodness to me and refresh. It's all about you. I am feeling rested already.

Go and claim your rest.

For further reading go to Matthew 11:29,30; Psalm 62:1; Psalm 91:1.