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"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 NIV)
My job during Sunday morning worship is to care for my infant granddaughter, while my daughter seeks to keep my two year old granddaughter occupied and as quiet as possible, a herculean task for sure.
Lindy sits on my lap and looks around at all the lights and the overhead fan, the stained glass window and the hymn book as we sing. Usually about half way through the service she begins to yawn and her head droops. I offer her, her soother and blanket and pull her tightly against me for comfort. Her eyes begin to close but then she suddenly jerks herself upright and begins once again to gaze around. Sleep keeps calling to her but she fights it as long as she can before finally too weary to continue she surrenders to much needed rest.
As this scenario unfolded again this past Sunday it struck me that as God's children we often do the same thing in regards to not surrendering to the rest that is offered to us in Christ. Too often we keep gazing at all our worries and concerns, struggling with them ourselves, trying to figure out a way to resolve them instead of trusting God with them and giving up our load of care. Other times we bear the burden of past sin and guilt, which in Christ has already been forgiven, yet still we hang onto it refusing to surrender it once and for all, allowing it to burden and weary us robbing us of our joy and the light of our salvation.
As I was pondering these things and listening to the Pastor speak, she began to discuss how lack of trust in God amidst hard and difficult times is a form of atheism. It is unbelief and focuses on self instead of on the Lord who is able amidst all our worries, cares, problems, sin and guilt. Our lack of surrender to the rest He offers us robs us of our witness to a hurting and fallen world. For if we, who are followers of Christ refuse to surrender to the rest that Christ's life, death and resurrection offer us where is our testimony to His life giving power, love and forgiveness?
As I contemplated and gazed down at my peacefully sleeping grandchild, nestled in my arms I committed anew to trust in Christ and the rest He offers in any and all situations which I may be wrestling with, past, present or future.
How about you? Are you weary and burdened? Are you struggling with worry, sin and guilt? If so don't you think that today might just be a great day to surrender it, once and for all, to the One who is holding us close to Himself that we might find both comfort and rest nestled securely in His arms.
Prayer: Father God, thank You so much for the rest which Christ offers to each and everyone who in faith and trust lay down their burdens before Him. Bless us with the will to do so that our witness and testimony might shine brightly for You in a world burden by worry, strife, sin and care. In Christ's name we ask. Amen.
Lynne Phepps
Atlin, B.C.
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