Begin with 2 minutes of stillness and silence before God.

One of the most financially free points in my life was also one of the lowest spiritual points in my life. I had just come out of a heartbreaking job situation. A place I thought I would retire from.  Because I subconsciously blamed them for my heartache, I ran from church and God as best I could and dove head first into whatever work I could find. I stepped into two full-time jobs, working for a camp and running a lawn care business. In my spare hours, I worked for a marketing company as well as a videography company while doing photography on the side as well. Every hour of every day of every week was filled to the best of my ability. In the moment, I felt I was following God’s will, justifying it as providing for my family and doing what 1 Corinthians 9:24 says: “Run in such a way as to get the prize.” The problem was that I was running with everything I had for a prize I thought I would have, but the whole time running in the wrong race. I was burdened and weary. I was tired. I was jaded.

Towards the end of Matthew 11, Jesus extends a comforting invitation to all who are burdened and weary. He offers us rest for our souls - a relief from the trials and tribulations of life. In a world filled with busyness and chaos, Jesus stands as our refuge, providing a haven of peace and tranquility. When we feel overwhelmed by the demands of life, Jesus calls us to come to Him, to lay down our burdens at His feet, and find comfort in His presence.

I was not doing that. I pushed God away out of heartache, but I’m so thankful God is a persistent God, and through time, He showed me to turn to Him to lighten my burdens, find peace, and find rest. Life circumstances and the birth of my first son later brought me home. It was during that time at home when I finally stood still enough to wrestle with God and turn my burdens over to Him. I shifted my race from a race of this world and finances to laying my burdens on Him and He gave me rest.

Find rest in Jesus. When the weight of the world feels heavy on your shoulders, turn to Him in faith. He offers a sanctuary of rest where weary souls find renewal and strength.

Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• What burdens do you need to turn over to God?
• What is weighing you down? Why is it weighing you down? Learning from Christ, we find rest for our soul, for His yoke is easy, and His burden is light.
• Are you allowing God to carry this burden?