Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” ~Matthew 11:28

For me, this week has proven to be the heaviest laden of the pandemic with feeling weary and burdened, as it relates to the ongoing uncertainty of being quarantined. I have a tremendous amount of gratitude for a plethora of things in my life. My family is healthy, my husband is still working hard, my kids are acquiescing to the new rhythms of life with resiliency, I have a home, I have plenty of food, I have an extensive family who is supportive, and dear friends who are kind and hilarious. Yet, I have felt more so, this week, that I am slogging through life with a meager supply of motivation. There is a war within me to maintain a heart of thankfulness, focused on what is most important. I’m also wrestling with a lack of desire to do much as I simultaneously ponder, “What is my purpose?” This array of feelings has culminated in a presence of angst, even if below the surface.

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This call from Jesus to, “Come to Me,” has been a command in which I have positioned my thoughts. In addition to the state of our current world, this feeling of weariness and the impact of being overwrought with burdens, has escalated for me, due to struggles within a relationship. Each of us can identify one or more areas of our life where we feel weary and burdened.

I was greatly encouraged by the words of Oswald Chambers:

“The questions that matter in life are remarkably few, and they are all answered by the words, ‘Come unto Me.’

Not – ‘Do this, or don’t do that,’ but – ‘Come unto Me.’ Personal contact with Jesus alters everything.” 

Do you believe that? Personal contact with Jesus alters everything. If you are anything like me, you will find countless things to piddle around doing in an attempt to feel productive or put an abundance of importance on completing certain tasks. All the while, we refuse to go to the Source of life, the well which never dries, the One who gives us purpose, even as He offers us the only things that will endure: life, peace, and rest.

Many of us will argue, “I don’t need more rest.” I need something to do. I need purpose. I need to be productive. Yet, this rest that Jesus offers is not one of inaction or additional time to laze around. Jesus promises to give us rest when and if we respond as He beckons us, “Come to Me.”

“‘I will give you rest,’ means I will get you out of bed, out of the languor and exhaustion, out of the state of being half-dead while you are alive; I will imbue you with the Spirit of life, and you will be stayed by the perfection of vital activity.” ~Oswald Chambers

We have access to a God who desires deep, rich, meaningful relationship with us. We have purpose not because of what we do but because of who we are. We are defined by a God who made us in His image. He proclaims each and everyone of us is: chosen, unconditionally loved, accepted, forgiven, and made for a purpose.

What is keeping you from heeding his request, “Come to Me”? I can assure you of a peace, rest, and a firm footing for the day ahead of you, as you respond to His appeal.

Leave with God what only God can do. ~Elisabeth Elliott 

Susie Smith resides in Lincoln, Virginia with her husband, Jonathan, her four children. Susie is earnest about encouraging others to grow in their faith through the reading of God’s Word, fellowship with other believers, and through prayer.  Most notably, Susie is a work in progress.  She struggles with anxiety, control issues, insecurities, comparisons, running late, and the like.  Yet, she believes wholeheartedly in a God who is able to transform every one of us by bringing light to our darkness and freedom through redemption.  

You can visit her blog at: thesmithsjs.wordpress.com