Read Matthew 11:28 AMP
Jesus offers the invitation and the promise: “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation].
This verse makes me think about working outside, and the chore of weeding. I think about digging up the hard stuff, loading it into the wheelbarrow, and carrying it to the edge of the road.
Just as I tip the wheelbarrow up, I am face-to-face with Jesus. He is waiting with an ice-cold glass of freshly squeezed lemonade. As I take a drink, Jesus invites me to sit and talk about the weeds. He encourages me to leave them all there. He offers to pick up my mess.
Instead of resting, as He suggests, I find myself raking everything into a nice, neat pile. He stops me and invites me to take another drink and sit with Him. My mind is racing, thinking about all I have to get done. Why is it so hard for me to sit? I hate this job, yet I feel myself rushing off to complete it.
As I return with another load, Jesus is patiently waiting for me, offering another drink along with an invitation to rest. I sit for a brief moment and take in the refreshment, but quickly return to my work.
As I hobble back to the road for a third time, I see Jesus still waiting patiently for me. I think to myself, when will this job be complete? Jesus points to a flower amongst the piles of weeds and invites me to rest. This time I sit and together we enjoy the beauty of being together.
Lord, thank You for the invitation to slow down and rest. As we acknowledge the reality of the busyness of life, help us to remember what is truly important. Hurry is the enemy and robs us of intimacy with You and with others. Thank You for bringing the beauty of Your promises into the light. Thank You for waiting patiently and providing the refreshment we need so that we may sit still and enjoy Your presence. Amen
