DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Sabbath Rest
by Elaine Pierce
"Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ...you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28a-29)
I'm not tired!. I don't need a nap! My 2 1/2-year-old grandson is fond of insisting that he doesn't need naps anymore. He says these things as he rubs his eyes and yawns, but he fights sleep and refuses to give in to what I know will be good for him and make the rest of the day go better for both of us. It's so apparent that rest will benefit him, but he - just like us - wants to be in control, and napping/fear of missing out, are not on his agenda.
In today's passage, the author of Hebrews urges his readers to "make every effort to enter that rest [Sabbath rest] so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience. (v. 11) Sabbath rest is not just physical rest; it is spiritual rest and complete trust that Jesus has paid the price for our sin on the cross, and that we will spend eternity with him. Yes, we will rest with him, safe in his arms forever and ever amen!
I remember not so very long ago when that same little two-year-old was a newborn baby. He would nestle into my arms with compete confidence that he was safe and secure. He was helpless to do anything for himself, and his mommy and daddy took care of his every need. What a picture that is of our Heavenly Father. The rest he gives us is all good, all wise, and all powerful. He knows what we need, and all he asks is that we enter into that rest. Yes, his burden is light. Enter into that rest, and delight in the good gifts of our Lord.
PRAYER
Thank you, Lord, for the gift of rest, both physical and spiritual. Help me enter into Sabbath rest, and completely trust that you will care for me and provide for me. Amen.
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