This week I’ve been noticing the things that can easily be inserted into my daily rhythms that can seem like “a break” or “rest” but actually don’t provide me with any rest at all. In fact, over the last couple years, it seems like we know now more than ever that not doing anything or engaging in time-wasters don’t actually make us feel like healthier, more rested individuals. Many times for me, it ends up being the exact opposite.
I see this to be especially true when there is something I’m subconsciously running from or avoiding. This “distracting rest” can not only cause me to waste time but also doesn’t get me any closer to the true rest that I’m needing from the things that do burden, cause worry, or make me doubt. The invitation from Jesus in these verses, therefore, isn’t to empty our lives of work or difficulty, but to take on His yoke, to be near to Him, to learn from Him, and to be obedient to the way He leads us and in the work He has for us.
As we start off a new week, join me in pausing and asking God to identify the things that are making us feel weary and burdened. He already knows before we even identify those things, and He is sufficient to show and lead us. In His grace, He is also gentle and humble in the way that He comes alongside us so that we can walk in the way and rhythms that He knows are best for us.