“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
I used to think rest was a luxury, something to be earned after all the work was done. But life has a way of piling on more tasks, more responsibilities, and more burdens until rest feels like an impossible dream. I remember nights lying awake, my mind racing with worries and to-do lists. My body was exhausted, but my soul felt even heavier.
I’ll never forget one particular season when I was juggling work, family, and a long list of commitments. No matter how much I did, it felt like I could never get ahead. The weight of it all left me drained and, honestly, a little cranky. I kept wondering, Is this what life is really supposed to be like?
In those moments, Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28 felt like a lifeline: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” He wasn’t offering a temporary escape or a quick fix. He was offering true rest, a deep and soul-refreshing peace that goes beyond physical relaxation.
The people Jesus spoke to were carrying heavy loads, not just of daily labor but also of spiritual and emotional burdens. They were striving to meet the demands of religious laws and societal expectations, much like we strive today to meet the endless demands placed upon us. Jesus’ call was radical. Stop striving, stop carrying these burdens alone, and come to Him.
I’ve come to understand that rest is not found in the absence of work or trouble but in the presence of Jesus. It’s about surrendering my endless striving and allowing Him to carry the weight I was never meant to bear alone. When I bring my worries, my fears, and my exhaustion to Him, I find a rest that sleep cannot provide—a rest for my soul.
And let me tell you, learning to lean on Jesus has been life-changing. But does it mean life magically becomes super easy and everything is always perfectly together? Absolutely not! My to-do list is still ambitious, I still forget things at the grocery store, and I still sometimes find myself juggling way too much. But the difference is, I’m not carrying it all by myself anymore. And let’s be real, even Jesus needed a nap sometimes.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and weary, Jesus extends the same invitation to you. You don’t have to carry those burdens by yourself. Come to Him, lay them at His feet, and let Him give you the rest you so desperately need.
— Paul, LifeSongs
Reflective Question:
What burdens are you carrying today? How can you bring them to Jesus and receive the rest He promises?
Prayer:
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