Weariness

Scripture Reading: Matthew 11:28-30

Matthew 11:28 AMP “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. (I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.)”

Jesus will cause us to rest. Does that sound as good to you as it does to me? The Greek word translated “rest” here is Anapausis. It means again to pause; cessation from toils; implies the relaxing or letting down of chords or strings which have been strained or drawn tight.

Why are we weary? I’m not talking about being physically exhausted from a job well done. I’m talking about being mentally, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted. We don’t have to be, you know. Jesus promises to ease and relieve and refresh our souls if we come to Him.

Jesus cares about every detail of your life, including your schedule. Have you ever asked Him about your schedule? There may be an activity, one that seems acceptable, that He is calling you to leave behind.

Or there may be an activity that is more than just acceptable. It’s godly. But it may be a part of God’s plan for someone else. Have you said yes to ministries just because you didn’t want to disappoint anyone? Have you ever taken on a responsibility because it needed to be done and you were afraid no one else would do it?

Do you ever rely on your own strength or ability to accomplish what God has called you to do? When we rely on the strength God provides for us to accomplish His work we feel energized and joyful…maybe even rested.

Then there’s something that is one of my biggest problems. I’ve been putting off telling you this, but sometimes we procrastinate in being obedient to God. I sometimes invest my time in something that seems acceptable in order to avoid doing something I know God wants me to do, but which I’m afraid will be difficult.

We don’t have to be weary when we are yoked with Jesus. He promises His yoke is easy and His burden is light. The Amplified Bible says Jesus’ yoke will bring us rest, “relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quietness for (our) souls.”