Rest: God's Gift for the Weary Soul

Adversity may ebb and flow, yet the unwavering presence of God remains a constant in our lives. He crafts a narrative through the tapestry of both joy and hardship, understanding the grand design from the day we are born and beyond the boundaries of this mortal existence.

God tirelessly labors to shape us into His flawless creations, for we are indeed royalty within His divine Kingdom. His presence is an exquisite treasure, frequently underestimated. While we are taught that God perpetually dwells with us, our thoughts and actions often suggest that we walk alone.

The undeniable reality of God's presence holds more significance than the burdens we encounter, no matter how weighty they may appear. We often bear the weight of responsibilities that are not meant for us. Do we heed God when He lovingly whispers, "That burden is not yours to carry"? 

As His Word declares, "Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will provide you with rest" (Matthew 11:28).

As I observe the world around me, it becomes painfully evident that many are wrestling with their own silent battles. I see individuals at the grocery store, diligently selecting the essentials for their families, yet inside, they grapple with the daunting question of how to make ends meet. I witness fathers tirelessly toiling to earn a living, only to find themselves entangled in the web of debt, their worries looming large. Mothers, while witnessing their children's exuberance, endure the frustration of watching a cereal bowl hit the floor for the third time, their patience tested. And then there are the grandparents, their eyes misty as they bid farewell to a car packed with loved ones, offering up silent prayers for their safe return, while holding back tears.

I've witnessed a profound sadness and an unspoken longing in the depths of a widow's gaze. Their loneliness can be overwhelming, sometimes making them feel as if they've been left on the living side of the door that separates life from death.

While they yearn for companionship, many remain steadfast in their commitment to a life marked by tranquility, free from unnecessary drama. It's a poignant paradox, where the desire for connection mingles with a fierce determination to preserve a serene and solitary existence still waiting to reunite with their spouse on the other side of this life.

I perceive the weariness and the burdens that many carry, both in you and within myself. However, the way these burdens manifest is unique to each of us, often shrouded beneath a veneer of composure.

When we're asked, "How are you?" we all too frequently offer a quick and customary reply, "I'm fine, how are you?" We've become accustomed to providing concise answers to superficial inquiries because, deep down, we recognize that most people don't genuinely want to delve into the depths of our true emotions. It has become a standard question, met with an equally standard yet far from truthful response, and this is a behavior we're all complicit in.

We have a clear understanding of what weariness and heavy burdens look like, as these struggles tend to manifest in recognizable ways. However, the concept of living under God's "rest" can be more elusive and highly individualized. It's a state that likely varies greatly for each of us, and we may not fully grasp what it truly looks like because it transcends the confines of our worldly experiences.

Living under God's "rest" entails a sense of inner peace, a surrender to His divine guidance, and a trust in the unfolding of life's journey. It manifests as a profound tranquility, a freedom from the anxieties that commonly afflict us, and a deep connection to one's faith and purpose. "Rest" looks like love, patience and peace. I believe God's "Rest" is ultimately the fruit of His spirit made manifest.

When God extends His invitation to "come to me," He is urging us to forge a more profound and intimate bond with Him. It's a call to seek His presence, counsel, and refuge, to unburden our hearts and joys, and to harmonize our lives with His divine plan. 

It's important to remember that there is no separation between us and God, for, believers, as the Bible asserts, "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?" (1 Corinthians 6:19, NIV). This sacred truth underscores the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within believers, as Jesus Himself proclaimed. Non-believers will have separation from God until they believe Jesus is the bridge to God and accept Him as their Lord, and Savior.

The Holy Spirit, the finished work of Jesus, serves as the conduit that bridges the gap, fostering an unceasing connection between us and God and dispelling any semblance of division that may linger in our minds.

Children often lack the capacity to fully comprehend their needs, yet they wholeheartedly trust their parents to intuitively grasp and fulfill those needs. In much the same way, as children of God, it's not imperative that we always discern our needs with absolute clarity, for ultimately, that is God's divine role as "Father". He desires us to relinquish the burden of trying to manage His role ourselves and instead place our trust in His loving care. In embracing this trust, we recognize that He is the ultimate provider, the One who comprehends our needs even before we do, and it is His will to lovingly meet those needs.

This encounter begins with communication, whether it's a quiet, heartfelt prayer, or the thunderous pound of fists on the carpet, accompanied by tears and snot, as emotions spill out. We must communicate with Him, allowing our hearts to be laid bare, whether filled with love or broken into pieces. He says, "Come to me," and we should respond with a faith-driven yearning, actively seeking His presence and surrendering ourselves.

God's invitation to "Come to ME" is a source of great comfort, especially for those of us who prefer not to burden others with our emotional struggles. There are times when we feel overwhelmed, and we hesitate to disrupt the balance in our interactions with people. We often keep our emotions to ourselves, seeking solitude because we fear that sharing our inner turmoil might be unwelcome.

Many people grapple with a reluctance to reveal their innermost thoughts, concerned that they may become a burden to those around them.

God's invitation to come to Him offers a safe space to unburden ourselves, share our worries, and find solace in His presence without fear of judgment or rejection. It's a beautiful reminder that we are never alone in our struggles, and our Heavenly Father is always there to offer support and understanding.

Society frequently seems to have moved away from cultivating authentic relationships, leading us to question whether it's worth opening up to anyone other than God, perhaps our mothers, or that one true friend we can trust wholeheartedly. In a world that sometimes feels disconnected, how beautiful is God that He says, "Come to me........"

The authenticity and depth of connection that we yearn for from others often seem elusive in a world where many choose to stay hidden behind their masks afraid of being vulnerable.  But, I believe God really relies on us becoming more vulnerable to our truths, as we become more confident in Him.  Your mess is your message to a hurting world. If we hide our messes then we also end up hiding our solutions to them.

And all this even more makes the invitation from God, "Come to ME" even more precious and enduring. Regardless of whether we have close friends, confidants, or family in our lives, we have the opportunity to turn to our Heavenly Father in prayer, a profound form of intentional communication. In those moments, we can unburden ourselves, sharing our innermost thoughts and feelings, and find ourselves enveloped by His peace.

When we release our emotional burdens, pain, tears, anger, and hurt, we experience a profound sense of freedom. This release allows us to unburden our hearts and minds, creating space for healing and renewal. It is in this freedom from the weight of our troubles that God's promise of "rest" finds its true meaning. Rest, signifies a state of peace, solace, and restoration where we can find refuge in God's embrace, unencumbered by the baggage of our past pain and suffering. It's a testament to the transformative power of faith and surrender, where we exchange our burdens for the liberating rest that God provides.

Because God is constantly with you, as Psalm 73:23 reminds us, this divine rest is an ever-present gift, available to us 24/7. It doesn't depend on our location, work schedule, or isolation within a prayer closet. This rest is perpetually within reach because God is always by our side.

"Yet I am always with you;

you hold me by my right hand." (Psalms 73:23)

Right at this moment, you can simply close your eyes and say, "God, I'm falling apart. Take these burdens from me and grant me the freedom I so desperately need" (Psalm 55:22):

"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you;

he will never let the righteous be shaken."

In those moments when you're overwhelmed by the choices of your loved ones, your boss at work, co-workers, or even your own dumb decisions, you can cry out, "Here, God, I can't carry this load any longer. Take these burdens, and fight this battle for me" (Exodus 14:14):

"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

God's presence and His offer of rest are available to us at any time, allowing us to find solace, freedom, and strength in all our times of need.

God is Beautiful. God is Perfect. God's beauty and perfection radiate through His Word, possessing a transformative power that awakens a profound hunger within us. Once you've tasted the depth of Him, His wisdom, His Word, His provision, He becomes like the very heartbeat of your existence. When we genuinely connect with God's Word, a holy appetite stirs within us, an insatiable desire for more of God that's often difficult to explain. It's a spiritual hunger that transcends the ordinary and leaves us yearning for a deeper and more intimate connection with the divine.

If you find that this desire is absent within you, it's essential to consider the spiritual implications. As the Word indeed says, the devil can blind people from seeing the truth (2 Corinthians 4:4). If you don't feel that hunger for God and His Word, it might be time to seek His intervention. 

2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

You can earnestly pray for God to open your eyes, open your heart, and remove any barriers that are preventing you from truly experiencing His presence and understanding His Word. It's an act of surrender and an acknowledgment of your need for His guidance and illumination.

"Come to ME, all who are weary and heaven-laden, and I WILL GIVE YOU REST!'

Amanda Allen

www.KingdomRevelations.com