Yes, I have known these feelings well over the last months. And they continue as I walk through another grieving period. A stil,l small voice keeps telling me to rest. I assume that means to go to bed early, get plenty of sleep, take it easy; and don’t worry about all the work there is to do. But a nagging thought kept coming to mind; what does it really mean to rest? Is it really just about the physical? Of course there is rest for our soul but what does that look like and how do we attain that kind of rest?

          Next to the Bible what is my favorite book? So, I get the dictionary out to look up the word “rest”. These are some of the definitions I found:

          Rest- refreshing ease after exertion or labor, relief or freedom, esp. from trouble or anxiety, to lie, sit, lean, or be set, to be fixed upon something, to base or let depend,  as on some ground of reliance.

          Even from Webster’s I am reminded that rest is something I need to do before God. Resting means that I find relief and freedom in Jesus. I lie down, sit, lean, am set and fixed upon Him. AND lastly that I depend on Him and rely on Him. As I consider rest I was sent this poem via Facebook. It says what I am trying to learn and what I am trying to encourage you to do. So let these words speak to your tired, weary, in need of rest soul:

For the One Who is Tired

          Dear heart, God does not say today, “Be strong!” He knows your strength is spent; He knows how long the road has been, how weary you have grown; for He walked the earthly roads alone. Each bogging lowland and each long, steep hill He can understand, and so He says, “Be still and know that I am God.” The hour is late and you must rest a while, and you must wait until life’s empty reservoirs fill up as slow rain fills an empty, upturned cup. Hold up your cup, hold up your cup, dear child, for God to fill. He only asks today that you be still.  ~ Grace Noll Crowell

          Jesus says “Come to me, all you who labor are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yolk upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yolk is easy and My burden is light.” Matt 11:28-30. Finding rest begins by coming to Jesus. Come to Him today and rest.

Blessings, Kathy Withers

Kathy’s on staff at America’s KESWICK in the Development Department. Kathy has been married to her husband Dave for 28 years.  They have two adult children. Kathy is active in her local Church and has taught Sunday School and Bible Studies for women. Her passion is to encourage women to deepen their walk with Jesus Christ by finding and living out the truths of God’s Word.