Kelly Aul
Author - Publisher - Graphic Designer - Video Producer - Blogger
Finding YOUR REST
12-20-2020
Have you ever said, “Man, I could use a vacation!” Just to get away from the daily grind, stress, responsibilities, cold weather, and walk out onto a secluded beach somewhere warm. The feeling of sand between your toes, the sound of the ocean waves and distant call of a seagull or two, the soft breeze of fresh sea air with the alluring aroma of tropical flowers, you sit down on the comfortable beach chair lounger under an umbrella and open a good book, however, before you begin to read, you sit back, close your eyes then breath a deep sigh of sheer satisfaction.
Have you ever experienced something like that? Or wish you could? I have. But did you know it’s absolutely possible to come back from the most wonderful, elaborate, blissful trip and still feel empty? It didn’t do it for you. What went wrong? Did bad weather ruin your vacation? Or how about the friends or family you went with? Did they ruin it somehow? Maybe it was the poor service you received? Many things could have played a part. Perhaps nothing went wrong but the whole time you were there, you dreaded the thought of having to come home and face the overwhelming stress all over again, just waiting for you to step off of the plane.
What is it that makes us still feel empty and in need of that peaceful “fix” or the next thing to look forward to and almost needing a vacation from your vacation? It’s because our peace, rest, energy, and entire rejuvenation, doesn’t come from the beach or a long vacation or even touring breathtaking castles in Ireland! In fact, you can’t find it in the most remote, beautiful part of the world. You can’t travel far enough and no amount of money can buy it. It’s only found in one place and you can plug into its energy any time, no matter where you live. Jesus actually told us how to find it.
Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
A few other translations make this verse even more clear.
Matthew 11:28-30 (The Passion Translation) “Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. 29 Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me. 30 For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear.”
Wow! He is our oasis! Look no further! This is it. This is how we find our rest! It’s a rest so powerful, no one and nothing can take it away.
Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message) “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.”
Now, don’t get me wrong. It isn’t bad to get away and go on vacation. Just go knowing this isn’t going to solve that hunger for peace and energy, stirring inside us. Here’s the great news! When we keep vacations in the proper place, we won’t ever be disappointed.
Matthew 11:28-29 (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition) I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls... you will find rest relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet.
Now that we know where our true rest comes from, how do we get it? It’s not like we can call Jesus on the phone and tell Him, “Hey, can You come here for a bit because I need an oasis and YOU’RE IT!” The Bible says that Jesus is the Word of God (the Bible).
John 1:1-4, 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life and the life was the light of men. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.
And, the Word is near you! (Romans 10:8) You don’t have to strive and beg and shout to reach Him. He’s near you. He’s right there. You can talk to Him like you talk to your closest friend or family member.
Whenever I’m going through life and I start feeling weighed down by cares, troubles, or just too many things going on and I feel like I’m losing my rest, I know what I’ve been lacking. I haven’t been seeking the Lord enough. Maybe I have been, but maybe my heart hasn’t been in it like it should. So I get alone and open the BOOK OF LIFE. It’s bursting with peace, rest, and health! I’ll pray. Praying is just talking to God. I get close to Him and the second I do, He draws near to me. That’s His promise.
James 4:8 (The Passion Translation) Move your heart closer and closer to God, and he will come even closer to you.
Church also is very very important and powerful. It recharges you just like a battery. It needs to be a church that has you bring your Bible and teaches right from it. Serving with your church family really boosts the recharging process!
To maintain a state of continual rest and energy, we must consistently seek Him. It’s not just a one-time thing. The same level and effort you put into seeking Him is the amount you will receive back, if not MUCH MUCH MORE! God loves overwhelming us with His goodness.
Jesus said, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:7
Abide means making your home in.
The Message translation says, But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you…
When I think of making myself at home, I think about one of my favorite things to do. Many people don’t like being at home and always need to be on the go. Not me! I do like to go out and do things but there’s something about home. You can let your hair down there. You can be yourself. I like to put my warm, comfy clothes on, my plush Sherpa slipper socks on, sit down in my favorite chair and wrap myself in a cozy blanket and around my legs like a burrito. With my warm caramel apple spice tea, I lean back and enjoy. Home is a place of comfort. I realize many people don’t like being home because of bad memories of their childhood. They’ve never experienced peace in their home. Jesus made a way! He made a way to reach you right where you are. No matter how far away you feel like you are to Him, He’s right there. Just talk to Him and ask Him to be Lord of your life.
Getting into the Word of God and praying should feel just as cozy and wonderful as home is. Get away with Him and you’ll recover your life. He’ll show you how to take a real rest! You will feel so invigorated with that “vacation” feeling!
Have you ever experienced something like that? Or wish you could? I have. But did you know it’s absolutely possible to come back from the most wonderful, elaborate, blissful trip and still feel empty? It didn’t do it for you. What went wrong? Did bad weather ruin your vacation? Or how about the friends or family you went with? Did they ruin it somehow? Maybe it was the poor service you received? Many things could have played a part. Perhaps nothing went wrong but the whole time you were there, you dreaded the thought of having to come home and face the overwhelming stress all over again, just waiting for you to step off of the plane.
What is it that makes us still feel empty and in need of that peaceful “fix” or the next thing to look forward to and almost needing a vacation from your vacation? It’s because our peace, rest, energy, and entire rejuvenation, doesn’t come from the beach or a long vacation or even touring breathtaking castles in Ireland! In fact, you can’t find it in the most remote, beautiful part of the world. You can’t travel far enough and no amount of money can buy it. It’s only found in one place and you can plug into its energy any time, no matter where you live. Jesus actually told us how to find it.
Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
A few other translations make this verse even more clear.
Matthew 11:28-30 (The Passion Translation) “Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. 29 Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me. 30 For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear.”
Wow! He is our oasis! Look no further! This is it. This is how we find our rest! It’s a rest so powerful, no one and nothing can take it away.
Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message) “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.”
Now, don’t get me wrong. It isn’t bad to get away and go on vacation. Just go knowing this isn’t going to solve that hunger for peace and energy, stirring inside us. Here’s the great news! When we keep vacations in the proper place, we won’t ever be disappointed.
Matthew 11:28-29 (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition) I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls... you will find rest relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet.
Now that we know where our true rest comes from, how do we get it? It’s not like we can call Jesus on the phone and tell Him, “Hey, can You come here for a bit because I need an oasis and YOU’RE IT!” The Bible says that Jesus is the Word of God (the Bible).
John 1:1-4, 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life and the life was the light of men. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.
And, the Word is near you! (Romans 10:8) You don’t have to strive and beg and shout to reach Him. He’s near you. He’s right there. You can talk to Him like you talk to your closest friend or family member.
Whenever I’m going through life and I start feeling weighed down by cares, troubles, or just too many things going on and I feel like I’m losing my rest, I know what I’ve been lacking. I haven’t been seeking the Lord enough. Maybe I have been, but maybe my heart hasn’t been in it like it should. So I get alone and open the BOOK OF LIFE. It’s bursting with peace, rest, and health! I’ll pray. Praying is just talking to God. I get close to Him and the second I do, He draws near to me. That’s His promise.
James 4:8 (The Passion Translation) Move your heart closer and closer to God, and he will come even closer to you.
Church also is very very important and powerful. It recharges you just like a battery. It needs to be a church that has you bring your Bible and teaches right from it. Serving with your church family really boosts the recharging process!
To maintain a state of continual rest and energy, we must consistently seek Him. It’s not just a one-time thing. The same level and effort you put into seeking Him is the amount you will receive back, if not MUCH MUCH MORE! God loves overwhelming us with His goodness.
Jesus said, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:7
Abide means making your home in.
The Message translation says, But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you…
When I think of making myself at home, I think about one of my favorite things to do. Many people don’t like being at home and always need to be on the go. Not me! I do like to go out and do things but there’s something about home. You can let your hair down there. You can be yourself. I like to put my warm, comfy clothes on, my plush Sherpa slipper socks on, sit down in my favorite chair and wrap myself in a cozy blanket and around my legs like a burrito. With my warm caramel apple spice tea, I lean back and enjoy. Home is a place of comfort. I realize many people don’t like being home because of bad memories of their childhood. They’ve never experienced peace in their home. Jesus made a way! He made a way to reach you right where you are. No matter how far away you feel like you are to Him, He’s right there. Just talk to Him and ask Him to be Lord of your life.
Getting into the Word of God and praying should feel just as cozy and wonderful as home is. Get away with Him and you’ll recover your life. He’ll show you how to take a real rest! You will feel so invigorated with that “vacation” feeling!
