Jesus Calls You Into Rest

Devotional Reading: Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 NLT

In our anchor text, we can picture Jesus possibly sitting by the Sea of Galilee and recalling a boat seen earlier that was “heavy laden,” a nautical term for a boat that is carrying more than it was built to carry and is in danger of tipping or sinking.

Have you ever felt that way? Do you feel that way right now—that you are carrying more than you can handle? Are you overwhelmed and overburdened, and do you feel yourself sinking under the weight of the waves?

Maybe, just maybe, this is where Peter was inspired to write, “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7 NKJV). Jesus loves you and did not mean for you to carry all of these burdens on your own. Be still for a moment and let him inventory your cargo—what all are you carrying? (Name some things now that are weighing you down.)

Stay still and catalogue your thoughts, responsibilities, hurts, and worries—oh, there’s one—then toss the worry to Jesus and let him replace it with much lighter peace. What are you carrying that is not yours to carry? You cannot make people happy. You can love them, but they must choose their own mindset or mood.

Is unforgiveness in one of those boxes? Time to toss it and allow healing to begin. There—doesn’t that feel better already? Bills? Job stuff? Family? Schedules? Conflicts? Maybe even something heavier, like a diagnosis or an eviction notice? Hand them over in prayer to the One who loves you and wants to lighten your load; let him give you rest.

Prayer and Confession
Lord Jesus, I am weary, worried, or just plain worn out, and I need your love to wash over me and wash my worries overboard. Lift me with your love so that I do not sink. Show me where I have picked up cargo that is not mine to carry, and I will cast it to you.

Further Reading: Matthew 11:28-30, 1Peter 5:7