Rest for Weariness
Let's be honest, how many times has it felt easier to stay distracted, overwhelmed, or in control of managing a mess than to actually pause and respond to what our souls truly need? There are days we'd rather scroll than sit still and others where we'd rather wander in our worries than unpack was hurting or hindering us.
Today we are presented with a different option; an invitation that many desire, but few accept. It's hard to imagine that among the many who identify as Christians, those who actually follow Jesus are in the minority.
One writer said it this way, following Jesus is a minority decision most people won't make in a culture that values comfort over conviction. Not because he isn't calling, but because answering takes honesty, humility. Surrender and courage to answer his call is to choose presence over performance, vulnerability over feeling invincible and being invisible, and kingdom over culture or even church tradition.
It's easy to identify when others fail to follow Jesus in their words, actions or decisions. But how many times have we declined Jesus's invitation to come, whether knowingly or unknowingly? Often, the reasons we decline Jesus's invitation to us mirror the ones we use to decline earthly invitations.
I just don't have time.
I'm not prepared.
Maybe another time would be better.
I can't go like this.
I don't need to go.
We sound so much like those in Luke 14:18-20 who were invited to a great banquet but chose to offer excuses instead of showing up.
Their reasons weren't evil. They were just occupied and distracted and so are we much of the time.
We scroll instead of seek.
We work instead of rest.
We hide instead of heal.
Like them. We miss the banquet of rest and communion because we are entangled in everything else.
Yet, Jesus still invites us even when we decline. He still accepts our humanity and the invitation still stands. He doesn't ask us to fix ourselves. He's not offering a quick fix. He's inviting us into a relationship where healing and rest begin with proximity to his presence.
And the best part…
We can come tired.
We can bring our confusion, sadness, and stress.
We don't have to have all the answers.
We don't have to feel ready.
We just have to be willing.
While the world may choose to keep running, wrestling, and hiding, we choose to pause. We choose to inhale deeply, exhale slowly, and step forward, not toward religion.
Not toward performance, but toward Him, because we are called and the first step is simply showing up. Let today be the day you say, Lord, I accept your invitation to come.
Worship While You Reflect
Today’s Song:
“Come to Me” – Jenn Johnson (Bethel Music)
If you're able, to take a moment right now and ask yourself these questions:
What has been weighing me down or draining me lately?
What am I pretending doesn't bother me anymore?
What would it mean to not only bring this to Jesus, but to surrender it completely trusting him to carry what I no longer can?
You don’t need perfect words.
You don’t need the a polished prayer.
You just need to show up — open, honest, and willing.
Your Heartwork Assignment
During your journaling time today, take a moment to write a letter to Jesus beginning with:
Lord, I accept your invitation in Matthew 11:28, and I'm coming to you because…
