Week 29: Rest

• Key verses: Mark 2:27-28; Matthew 11:28-30
• Rest for recovery
• Rest from relief
• Parting thoughts

Key verses

Mark 2:27-28 (NLT)

Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!”

Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Rest for recovery

I love the fact that Jesus clarifies the Sabbath was created for us. We are designed to need rest. I think this is very important for today’s always connected society. We are on our devices constantly, including me.

As many of you know, I use my device to communicate with people next to me. I have a necessary dependency on it. However, I still work on my website or do other things when it is on.

This past Saturday, I purposely went without it most of the day. I went out on the deck and rested, including my eyes. I took a nap outside and went on a walk later. I was refreshed. If I can do it, so can you. Rest…Take a break! You need it!

Rest from relief

I think many of latch onto the idea that Jesus will give us rest from our burden. But Jesus promises to come along side and help with our burden, not take it away. He provides rest by sharing our burden. We are weary because we carry it by ourselves.

For me, ALS is a burden. I continue to rely on God’s help to keep going. Jesus wants to share your burden. Will you carry it alone or with help?

Parting thoughts

Rest. It’s funny because I spend so much time in bed. Why do I need rest? Many things wear me out – writing, website work, device time, talking in crowds. I need to give my eyes a break for sure. I want to keep going and engaging. I need rest to do that, and so do you!