Come to Jesus for blessed rest

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

     With all the tension, stress, anxiety and hardships you are experiencing in Zimbabwe, I suspect there are times when some of you feel heavily burdened with worries for your loved ones and beloved country. Perhaps you are inwardly debating whether to stay where you are or seek refuge elsewhere. Any other village or country might seem safer, more secure, while offering better odds for your personal survival. Yet God is calling some of you to stay and serve in difficult and dangerous conditions, serving the people of Zimbabwe as best you can. Whatever your situation, exhaustion can quickly take it's toll on your life and decision making abilities.

     You might be finding yourselves worn out from working extremely long hours, too tired to sleep, tossing and turning in bed, wakeful from so many worries and very real anxieties about your future. Perhaps you are collapsing into bed, too fatigued to even eat and take care of your basic physical needs. There is so much to do and not enough hours in the day to help others in such dire need.

     Living in Zimbabwe in your uncertain times will quickly take its spiritual, physical, mental and emotional toll on you, without moments of blessed rest. Human beings are not machines and need rest for wholeness and healing. Rest rejuvenates us and is a blessed gift from God, while exhaustion debilitates and discourages us. Sleep can produce miraculous restoration of perspective, strength, humor, courage and endurance. For those who are sick or in pain, rest can bring blessed relief from suffering.

     Consider these words of Jesus. He too, experienced spiritual, emotional and physical exhaustion. He understands our common human need for rest. Through his gracious words of comfort and encouragement, we are invited to simply rest in his presence.

     Jesus cares deeply for the people of Zimbabwe and their troubles. So come to him with all your burdens, exhaustion and concerns. Ask him for blessed rest and peace of mind. Learn from him and he will teach and guide you throughout the days ahead. Remember, his burden is easy and his yoke is light. May these words of Christ sustain, uplift, and encourage you today. God bless you.

     Prayer: We come to you, O Christ, with all our concerns for this day. Give us your blessed rest and carry our burdens, we pray. Amen.

Written by Rev. Dr. Sandy Bochonok
http://soulfoodministry.org
July 3, 2002
Permission is given to freely distribute and share this reflection with the people of Zimbabwe.