Rest. This verse in Matthew promises it. But, in our western culture, I think most of the time we lack it. We take vacations (maybe) and we take naps (sometimes) but do we know the kind of rest Jesus refers to here? Upon releasing ourselves to His Lordship and protection we have a sense of peace, that I think most would identify as rest. I think it’s clear Jesus is offering us more than that. More than just hope of future eternal rest (although that will be the best kind). He’s offering us rest here and now, in the brokenness and chaos of our current circumstances. Not only is He offering it, as a gift, but also as an instruction. We NEED rest. Deep rest. for our mind, body, AND Spirit. This isn’t an “If you need a break, I’m here” He’s TELLING us, “COME!” without delay. It’s an invitation, and an instruction. Like when you’re grandma says “come in, come in!” She’s so so happy to have you, she is also TELLING you. You COULD reject her generous off, but that would be INSANE, because all that is beyond that threshold is blessing.

Most of you probably already know, I have a genetic disorder which causes chronic pain and fainting among other things. I’m also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. I used to have panic attacks and avoid social interactions or any form of authority. I would act “larger than life” or “tough” as a form of self protection. I also seemed to think cocaine use was a good option for building a sense of peace and settling my mind enough to get through the day. (I would consistently tell all my friends “This is a counterfeit to peace. Jesus is the only real answer.”) Even in active addiction, I knew nothing but Jesus would ever really free me.

So 5 years ago, due to the progression of my genetic disorder, and the resultant brain injury, God began this process of building my trust in him. This shift in my body function has forced me to live differently. Slowly. God, in His sovereignty and wisdom, has used this breakdown to build me. He used it for my good, and His glory. He has used it to change every corner of my mind. He has changed my thinking around what success is. (He had to or I’d be a self hating mess. I meet 0% of the world’s standards around success. I’m in my 30’s, single, no career, no husband, no kids, living in my parents basement with no money either. What a tragic disappoint I am according to western culture.) By His power to change me, I feel more fulfilled in my current life than I ever did when I did have some of those measures of “success”.

God used John Marc Comer’s book, ruthless elimination of hurry, to aid this process of learning the value of slow living. He gave me a better perspective of what it is to truly rest, and he gave me strategies around how to restore my spirit when it is drained. Since learning to rest well, anxiety isn’t something that has any influence on my day to day life. Part of the message of that book is that we ARE, in fact, too busy to rest. This is a big problem. Jesus has the answer, and is so willing to share it with us.

In my illness, i have less mental capacity, and less physical energy. So, God has given me a whole new way of discerning what is worth spending my life on. He has shown me how to grow what really matters, and leave behind the rest. In Hebrews there’s a verse that says “let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”. God highlighted to me a couple years ago the “and” in that first sentence, everything that hinders, AND the sin. Cast it all off. Therefore, something could be hindering us, that isn’t inherently sinful. We should shake off, leave behind, loose ourselves, of those things too. Leave behind the mid, and the good, in favour of THE BEST. What’s God bring to mind in your life when considering that, what’s not “bad” but, in your way none the less? We’ve got a race to run.

I imagine this race as more of a “foam fest” or “mud run”, not a traditional marathon. Lots of falling over, getting messy, laughing, cuts and scrapes, relationship building, memory making, etc. It’s silly, and at times feels impossible. But wouldn’t it be so much easier to do that in running shoes (barefoot for me) than work boots? The work boots aren’t evil. They even have an important purpose to some. But they do not suit our mission. They slow us down. If I wore work boots on a run, I’d probably end up accidentally kicking someone in the head. I’d have blisters. I’d be so tired. I’d end up irritated and would not preform each task to my fullest capacity. The boots aren’t “bad”. But here, they are harmful, not helpful. How do we figure that out though, what are the “work boots” we are trying to run in?

There’s another verse that comes to mind from James, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” and “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” from Jeremiah. So we KNOW that if we ask him to show us what is causing us to be weighed down, He WILL show us. Whether that be through scripture, or dreams, or another person, or a feeling deep in your guts, or any other multitude of ways (He can quite literally do anything). BECAUSE, when you “Take delight in the LORD, He will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalms) THIS IS SO ENCOURAGING!!!! When we seek Him as the desire of our heart, He fills us. He does not hide or hold back. HE’S SO FAITHFUL <3

Rest looks different for everyone. For me, rest is found in not talking to anyone, cleaning my house, hiking, long baths, and chores with podcasts. Rest is about the things that help me to breathe deeper and refresh my focus on God’s presence with me. I have often been caught in patterns of unproductive “rest”. Scrolling my phone, or zoning out in front of the TV, drug use, the list goes on.  Sometimes I would disregarding my need for rest all together. I’d use caffeine (or cocaine) to keep myself going. I’d eat foods that don’t nourish me well in favour of being “fast”. I would end up allowing my lack of rest to impact the way I process stress, this would cause me to be harsh in my relationships, make poor decisions, or avoid the things that really matter.

I ask you to prayerfully consider if you’re resting well, or numbing? Is it rest, or shutdown? God is offering each of us the custom designed gift of rest. I pray that you will prayerfully consider what that looks like for you. A kind of rest that refreshes your spirit. Deep rest that strengthens your awareness of God with you. Miraculous rest that provides a steady peace despite circumstance.  

The Opening Verse, Matthew 11:28-30 is said so beautifully and clearly in 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.”

Jesus said “walk with me, work with me, watch me.” THIS is the key to rest. To live life His way. We do that by being with Him. Are we doing that? Are we following Him? Or asking Him to be with us? Are we learning His way by being with Him? Or just asking Him to help us with the life we’ve already chosen? No wonder we are so tired. We weren’t made to live in step with the chaos. The forced, graceless, beating of the drum of “progress” drives us into feelings of failure and self hate.
We can step out of that rhythm, and into God’s. We don’t have to keep up with culture. We don’t have to strive for “success”.

Breathe deeply. Find rest.