“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.”
“We need to go!” I shout down the hall toward her room. I hear her shut the sock drawer as she sings. She has the lyrics mixed up to a very familiar song and I slow.
My heart stills and ears bend close to hear the heartbeat of God. His pulsing rhythm draws me in. It keeps time with the pace of eternity, a carefree tempo singing the mystery of grace. I come very close to marching my way through the morning and missing the miracle.
We zip down the hall grabbing lunch bag, back-pack, and yesterday’s shoes from the floor. I rush to grab my car keys, but where is little miss now? Here she comes, fluttering from one distraction to the next while I desperately try to get us out the door on time. I snap two fingers and my voice is shrill.
She stops short, all steaming hot with the tears, and I shake my head at how quickly I forget: “Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your soul…”
Our Lord’s words are not, “Do this, or don’t do that,” but “Come to me.” If I will simply come to Jesus, my real life will be brought into harmony with my real desires…and will find the song of the Lord beginning in my life. –Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest
Jesus knows how we can be worn and burned out from doing much good. He invites us to lay down the heavy things, lean into him, and learn from him. When the Lord says “…and I will give you rest,” Chambers interprets Jesus saying, “I will sustain you, causing you to stand firm.” This is not a passive rest; it is more like rhythmic movement.
Life may feel like a balancing act. Grace, on the other hand, leads me in wide open spaces to move within the freedom of God’s love. Jesus calls you to come so he can give you his life. He wants to lift you up, away from anxious striving and exhaustion, to give you power by his Spirit and vitality as you walk with him.
Rest
Read the verse of the day: MATTHEW 11:28
Have you ever read a verse from the Bible that seemed to come alive? This can happen with a verse you have read many times before. Suddenly the scripture becomes a living, breathing source of strength that speaks life into a situation you may be facing.
One thing that makes a verse speak is the choice of words the author used in the text. We see a word in context that holds a certain weight and we seek to understand its meaning.
How to use this word study
We will read the verse of the day in our Bible. Then we will clarify our understanding of the key word (see above) using a Concordance, Word Study bible, or English dictionary. If you do not have these resources, no worries! Helpful tools online include BlueLetterBible.org and Dictionary.com.
Look up today’s verse and read it in context of the chapter. Have a pen and paper ready. We will work through five steps.
- Write down the Bible verse.
- Find the key word and circle it.
- Look up the definition of the word (notice how it is used in context).
- If you are reading from a different translation of the Bible, which word is used instead?
- Underline where you find a promise. Find the heart of this verse and mark it with a heart shape.
(Click here for How to Use a Word Study.)
Meditation
What does this verse reveal about God’s heart? How does this truth refresh your soul? Turn this into your prayer today.
Please leave a comment below to share something that touched you in today’s devotional.
Follow this series
You are reading part of the 31-day series from Weary to Worship. To see other days click on Write 31 Days 2017 from the top menu. Before you go…I have carefully curated a special guide when you subscribe to this series.
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Photo by Ruben Engel on Unsplash
