This past Saturday, Allen and I went to visit a couple who had helped ACE launch Green Life Fresh—our greenhouse for clean food and part of our sustainability program/ministry at ACE.
When I saw Sheree and asked how she was doing, she said, “Good, but busy and tired.” Her response would have been mine exactly had I asked myself the same question.
It reminded me of my recent quiet time when I read Matthew 11:28-29. In this passage, Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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.”
Jesus is very intentional with His words because He knew we would often look everywhere but to Him for rest. I’ve tried vacations, Netflix to get a little escapism, and sleeping in. But what Jesus is saying to me – and maybe you if this resonates in your spirit – is that just stepping away and having moments of prayer all day long can give me rest and peace. Why? Because He is present and He wants to give me (and possibly you) a special rest that we get when we run to Him. Not the temporary rest we might feel when we run away someplace else to escape, but the long-lasting, life-changing rest we receive when we run to Him. It’s called soul rest.
These verses are the only time in the entire Bible where Jesus describes His heart. He specifically says, “for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” In this season of my life, I am learning more about the goodness and mercy of Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.”
I’m learning to enjoy every moment in a season of change. Thankfully, the words of Jesus never change.
Summer is a great time to refresh, renew, and enjoy the heart of worship. With the help of our ACE family and the wonderful people involved in our busy summer here in Jamaica, I’m getting there.
What about you? I bet you might feel the same way in this season of fun and busyness. Do you have a comment you’d like to share? I’d love to hear it.
