What Merriam-Webster Can’t Tell You About Finding Rest

Kick back. Escape demands. Shut out the world.

This was the goal of our getaway to the Finger Lakes in New York. My hubby and I took some time to hang out in a cottage on a lake with nothing at our disposal but fishing poles, kayaks, and of course a bit of coffee (wink wink.)

Our ultimate objective? Relax.

While drinking in the beauty of the lake from our dock early one crisp morning, the following thought crossed my mind.

Finally, I can find some rest and peace—now that I’m in the Finger Lakes.

Immediately following my declaration, I felt a tug in my spirit, as if it were a whisper from God, saying:

You know you don’t need to go to the Finger Lakes to find rest and peace, right?

Hmmm. That took me back for a sec and then it was as if God added a tagline to His previous thought:

You can find rest and peace in me . . . anywhere . . . anytime.

Well, of course I knew this to be true. But clearly, that morning, I needed a reminder. Allowing my thoughts to marinate a bit, I went to my Bible and found these words spoken directly by Jesus:

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

(Matthew 11:28-29).

We’re all weary and burdened, right? Life is demanding, schedules are hectic. We’re conditioned to be busy. But, amid our chaos Jesus longs to be the source of our rest and peace. He isn’t referring to us grabbing our favorite flannel throw and taking a snooze, or escaping to a cottage on a lake. Rather, God’s rest and peace comes when we stop striving to carry our burdens or seek respite from our trials in our own strength.

A yoke is a wooden bar used to join two animals together so they can pull together and share the load of pulling a cart or a plow. Taking on the yoke of Jesus is a matter of being in discipleship with Him, denying ourselves and choosing to follow Him. We have His promise of rest and peace from our difficulties when we walk with Him and allow Him to share the load of our burdens. We find refreshment for our spirit when our reliance is on God instead of ourselves. We can find rest and peace for our souls—daily—anywhere, anytime.

So, how can we access God’s promise of rest and peace?

We start by quieting our spirit and connecting with God. Then, we nurture a daily, purposeful habit of spending time with Him to align ourselves with all He has for us.

Intentional actions dictate desired outcomes.

For just a few moments each day, follow these simple steps:

• Remove your distractions.
• Slow your pace.
• Take a few deep breaths.
• Reflect on what you are thankful for.
• Take some time to pray. Relinquish your troubled thoughts and circumstances. Surrender your own control to God’s transforming, redemptive power.

I know what you’re thinking. I don’t have time to do this every day! (Am I right?)

Friends, we don’t have time not to seek God every day—because—it is in our silence, in our solitude, in our stillness that we receive God’s power. It is from God’s gift of rest and peace that we acquire our motivation, inspiration, creativity, clarity of thought, and energy to accomplish all we need to in our lives.

The most productive thing we can do is to kick back and relax in Jesus.

Let’s take the time . . . no, let’s make the time to actively seek God for our rest and peace and allow Him to speak into our lives.

We’ll be so glad we did.

Lord, thank you for your promise of rest and peace in my life. Help me slow down and make time to seek you daily and to surrender my striving to control my circumstances. Help me deny myself and accept your gift of rest and freedom from my burdens. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Do you have peace? Please share how you find lasting rest and peace in your life.