Jesus wants you to rest

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Self-care”

Our Bible verse for today: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “Jesus wants you to rest”

Up to this point in this devotional series on selfcare we have dedicated more than a week to the subject of taking a break and getting some rest. It’s because most of us try too hard to do too much for too long and we end up physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually empty. Am I speaking to anyone? Is this hitting home? We live in a society where everyone is busy, busy, busy – many are stressed and on the edge of burnout.

I’m not going to get into whether or not you are too busy, but I am going to say that all of us need more time for resting, renewal, and restoration. Just in the Gospel of Mark, Mark records five separate instances when Jesus gathered up His disciples and took them aside to a quiet retreat so they could recharge their batteries and deepen their relationships.

In the days to come I intend to focus our attention on three very helpful books that I have personally used in my own life to gain a better perspective and a better balance in this area, and which I believe could prove helpful for you as well.

1. “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” by John Mark Comer. It is all about slowing down, simplifying, and refocusing on the things that matter most in life.

2. “The Rest of God” by Mark Buchanan. “Restoring Your Soul by Restoring Sabbath” In this book Mark writes about the value of setting aside that one day of the week for rest and renewal and worship, but also, and even more so, developing a Sabbath mentality that we apply to life in general. This is a mindset that is intentional about carving out time specifically for healing, rest, renewal, and restoration every day. Buchanan counsels us to “Reject that which drains you; embrace that which gives life.”

3. “The Christian at Play” by Robert Johnston. God is playful and He has created us to play. Playing and having fun is God’s idea and we see it among His people all throughout the Bible – times of feasting, fellowship, celebration, play. Johnston writes, “The person at play is expressing his or her God-give nature.” And, “The Christian is called to work; but he is also called to play.” This book is all about developing a personal theology of play. In other words, playing and having fun as a matter of how you practice your faith.

Many of us are guilty of trying to do too much for too long and we end up on the edge of burnout. Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is to take a nap. We need to be intentional about healing, renewal, and restoration. Jesus wants you to rest.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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