28 “Come to me, all you 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 easy and my burden is light.”
-Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
You live a full life. You have a lot on your plate. I bet you are juggling your fair share of things– including putting out fires and navigating the ups and downs of life on a daily basis. I get it.
If we aren’t careful, the demands of daily life can become so loud we no longer hear Jesus’ radical invitation to us. It’s an invitation that defies all we are told about what it takes to be successful in our culture today. It’s a way of life strikingly different from what we’ve been taught in most workplaces, what we’ve read in most self-help books, and what we’re fed on the highlight reels of social media. Instead of more hustle, Jesus invites us to rest. Instead of climbing ladders and blazing trails, Jesus invites us to yoke up with Him– to walk with Him at His pace and in His strength. Instead of feeling the pressure to have it all figured out, Jesus invites us to simply learn from Him.
It may be hard to hear right now through all the noise of to-do lists, project deadlines, endless errands, tough conversations, and change management… but Jesus is calling out to you. He knows the source of your weariness and the burdens you carry. And He longs to give you rest. He wants you by His side– learning how to live from Him. The Message translation of Matthew 11:28-30 paraphrases Jesus’ invitation to you with these words: “Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
At some point today, step away from your inbox, your phone, or your desk for a few minutes, and read this invitation from Matthew 11 once more. Lay down the burdens you are carrying and invite Jesus to lead you. Ask Him to teach you the way of unforced rhythms of grace.
*Want to develop the life-changing habit of reading your BIble and praying every day? Or are you looking to create more intentional space to get away from all the noise and hear God speaking to you? Learn more about the Seek First Journal and buy yours here.