When you think of rest, you may envision a quiet weekend in a quaint cabin in the woods, or perhaps a peaceful morning on the beach. Maybe you just imagine a morning when you get to ignore the alarm and sleep for an extra thirty minutes. The image we often have of rest is one of stillness and quiet, but what Jesus promises us goes beyond mere tranquility.
The rest Jesus offers isn’t a retreat, but a new way of living, drawn from an Old Testament concept called shalom. Shalom is more than rest; it is peace, wholeness, blessing, and connection to the Lord. This is only possible when we learn to rely on God rather than our own efforts, to cast our worries onto His back rather than piling them up on our own. This is the rest Jesus calls us to. And when we accept His invitation, we find His peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
Jesus tells His followers that His “yoke is easy and [His] burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). His “yoke” is a lifestyle, a commitment to walk in obedience to His teachings and in light of His example. Jesus taught the way of the kingdom, complete with the pace and priorities of heaven, and He modeled total dependence on God, the key to true shalom. When we follow His example, we learn we can take His peace with us wherever we go.
Isn’t so awesome when you read the word and notice how that word that message is currently being lived out in your life at that very moment. In this season God has done so much to show me his power and allowed me to live in his grace. I am so thankful for where he has taken me from and where he will bless me going forward. I know by continuing to abide in Him for EVERYTHING will produce a lifestyle centered around his promises. His peace is not evident by the absence of strife alone but by knowing his faithfulness is unchanging.
In Him we find a peace that passes all understanding. Our sin sick heart has been healed if we are believers. Our heart becomes whole. We find rest in Him!
I love the promise of God’s peace and rest! Having a nine month old baby, rest is something that is so precious.
Praise God for rest and Shalom
In the second paragraph above, what do you mean when you said “Shalom is more than rest; it is peace, wholeness, blessing, and connection to the Lord. This is only possible when we learn to rely on God rather than our own efforts” what does the rather than our own efforts mean exactly? Do you you mind going into detail on that?
Nothing else in the world right now in the midst of all this covid destruction makes sense. But Gods peace is a constant reminder of hope and restoration.
Thank God that we can depend on Gods peace.
I wish I could reply to all of your comments, dear sisters… The website won’t let me do it directly though. My thoughts and prayers go out to you ladies as I read through, please know that. :)
“Let go and let God” – something I have definitely struggled with many times because of the tendency to want to take everything upon myself (even other people’s problems). I’ve had short moments where I do let go and feel that peace that surpasses understanding, and then before long I revert back to my old habits of taking the yoke back. In those moments where I catch myself, I need to remember to have grace with myself like He does with me, and to simply let go rather than beat myself up about it emotionally. It’s a learning process and I am grateful that He is a patient Teacher, one who is willing to take the yoke from me. But I must be willing to let go, He gives me the choice to do so and if I don’t, then I face the consequences of that choice in that moment and I feel the weight bear upon me, until I learn to let go again.