Find Rest In An Increasingly Restless World
Where Can You Find Rest In An Increasingly Restless World?
When was the last time you felt totally at peace?
For me, it’s usually after a beach vacation.
The soothing sounds of the ocean are hard to beat.
Time seems to slow down and every care washes away with the lapping of the waves against the shore.
I wish it could last forever.
But as expected, when it’s time to return home, the challenges of everyday life set back in.
What stresses are you dealing with right now?
Where can you find rest in an increasingly restless world?
No doubt there are monumental issues that divide us in our great country.
Fearful headlines are rampant in the media and elsewhere.
There’s the 2024 Election, the economy, the war in the Middle East, increasing tensions among political party lines, and so much more.
No doubt, those issues are important to our immediate futures.
However, considering the 24/7 media hype, it is easy to lose focus on our real purpose here on earth, and that is, to glorify God.
What a privilege we have been granted – to be that shining light even though it was yours and my sins that sent Jesus to the cross.
People are not good by nature – we are sinners.
But, by the grace and mercy of our Heavenly Father, He sent us a Redeemer – His only Son, Jesus.
Finding Rest: Embracing Jesus’ Invitation
In a world of chaos, Jesus is our only hope.
This is a “hope” that is not based on “wishing” the gospel is true.
Rather, the hope that Jesus offers is a “confidence” in His promises.
There’s no wishing involved at all.
Our burden of sin is lifted by the One who left heaven for us.
28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30, (NASB).1
Those are the comforting and precious words of our Savior.
He says, “Come To Me” and He really means it.
The humility of Christ is unlike the self-righteousness of the religious leaders. The “burden” Jesus speaks of refers to what Jesus expects of His followers. He has teachings and commandments, but, unlike the onerous requirements of the Pharisees, Jesus’ burden is light.- gotquestions.org.2
It is sin that separates us from God.
“We” are the weary and heavy laden.
As Jesus said elsewhere it is not the (spiritually) well who need a physician but the (spiritually) sick. Do you even see your need to come to Jesus? As [William] MacDonald says “In order to truly come to Jesus, a person must admit that he is burdened with the weight of sin. Only those who acknowledge they are lost can be saved.” – Precept Austin commentary.3
The world offers only temporary fulfillment and pleasures.
What does Jesus give that the world can not offer?
Through Him, our future happiness is unparalleled with anything we’ve ever experienced here on earth.
Eternal joy and peace is the destiny of those who believe in salvation through Jesus.
We can rest in His promises fulfilled and, even more importantly, live forever in the presence of our Heavenly Father.
It’s on my heart to share the beautiful song, “Give Me Jesus.”
Three-time Dove Award winner, Fernando Ortega, accompanies the wonderfully-talented Rexburg Children’s Choir in this version of the popular song.
There’s something especially endearing about a children’s choir.
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1 Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
2 Quotation from gotquestions.org, from “What is the significance of Jesus saying, “I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 )? n.d., para. 5-6. Web. Accessed June 3, 2024. Finding Rest in Jesus
3 Precept Austin quotation is from the Matthew 11:28 Commentary, [2019] Courtesy of Precept Austin, Subheading, “Weary and heavy laden”. Web. Accessed 1 June, 2024.
