Daily Archive

“At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:25-30). 

I just returned from vacation. Boy, do I need some rest! Know the feeling? Ever wanted to go back to your job so that you could slow down? I feel that way far too often and it is my fault. Why? Because sometimes I get busy doing a lot of trivial things that have little Kingdom value. Other times I let ”life” get in the way. Therefore my tank is empty and I’m in desperate need of both spiritual rest and replenishment. I believe that is what Jesus was implying when He said, “Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word;  but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful” (Mark 4:18-19). 

Jesus’ words in Matthew 11 serve as an anchor when my boat is tossed about by the waves of endless busyness (much of which I have created) and earthly burdens. This text reminds me that: 

• God is in control. He is the Lord of heaven and earth (v. 25). All that we do should be based upon His sovereignty over us (and over all things for that matter). We must choose to manage our lives with His purposes foremost in our priorities knowing that He holds us in the palm of His nail-scarred hand. Nothing can eternally separate us from His love (see Romans 8:30-39). We can slow down, rest, and savor Him because of this truth.
• We need to keep things simple and get back to basics (v. 25). The Gospel is simple enough to make sense to small children and child-like simplicity is key to a proper relationship with our Father. Many of humanly devised plans, programs, and commitments just get in the way of fellowshipping with our Savior. Paul’s life mission was simple, “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).
• All of our endeavors and activities should be done with pleasing Him in mind (v. 26). Paul says, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). I particularly note the word all is this verse – God’s pleasure and glory should be paramount in even the most mundane of acts and we should manage our lives with that in mind. Simultaneously we all need to shed those things that hinder us from fully experiencing Him. 
• The understanding of God, and the things of God, is revealed through Christ and not man-centered exercises (v. 27). The pursuit of God, His Kingdom and His righteousness should be of the highest order in our affairs (Matthew 6:33). All other things should take a back seat to knowing God and doing His will. Time with Jesus is the means and provision for this sense of meaningful purpose. 
• True rest is found only in the Lord. He beckons us to come and fellowship with Him, to seek the inexhaustible replenishment of His presence, and be at ease in His power and comfort. He is the solution for spiritual fatigue and the rut of purposeless routines that create no lasting value for Him or us (vss. 28-30). Meaningful respite comes from surrendering ourselves, our schedules, and our priorities to Him.

 I pray that God continues, through His Spirit, to remind me that “the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing”. I don’t do a good job of this. I need His help in fixing my gaze and therefore my priorities, activities, and schedule on Him. Only then will I find His rest and sustenance. Paul framed it this way, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:1-4). Father, help me to glorify you by being so heavenly minded that I’m constantly “going to Jesus” in order that I might I rest in the bosom of His power and presence .