In today's busy world, one needs to find rest. The thing is, people often equate rest with "not working." As a Christian, we can actually do so much while we are resting – if we are resting in the goodness of our God.
The Lord Jesus was very busy during His earthly ministry. Yet, despite the hectic schedules, He knew how to find rest, and actually now offers that same rest to us. He said in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
'Learn from Me'
If there's a person in this entire universe we should learn from first, it's got to be the Lord Jesus. If we read the gospels, we find that:
● He had the heaviest responsibility in the whole universe (our salvation);
● He had a limited time to do what He was sent to do (His earthly ministry lasted only for around three years); and
● He was limited as a human although He was God (He actually became a normal human being).
Yet we find that He was able to accomplish all that with joy and peace.
How?
Here are some things we can learn from Jesus about finding rest in stressful times.
1. He rested in God's presence
We find that Jesus spent a huge amount of time alone with His Father (see Luke 5:16). Some of us might consider every second crucial to that job or work task that remains incomplete, but Jesus considered His time with His Father more important than making miracles or even disciplining his 12 apostles. In fact, we read that Jesus spent hours praying, and mere moments healing the sick! Even at the cross He kept praying, and didn't budge!
Choose to spend more time with God, even if your work and schedules mount up.
2. He was focused
The Lord said that His "yoke is easy" and His "burden is light." He never carried unnecessary weight or responsibility. We read Him saying that He came to do the will of the Father (John 6:38), and He actually focused on it until it was finished!
Think about it. Jesus was never distracted by anything. How about you?
3. He kept His eyes on the prize
When we are intent on getting the end result of our work, it becomes a lot easier. Jesus was able to endure the cross because of "the joy that was set before Him" (Hebrews 12:2). He saw God's will fulfilled, the law culminate, and the freedom of all believers, that's why He kept going.
Are you seeing the expected fruit of your labours? Or are you merely punching the air?
