25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:25-30
Typically, the summer months are times of rest and relaxation. It is generally a time when people have a chance to travel, slow down, and change the pace of their lives with more activities of rest and leisure. What did you end up doing this summer to relax and recharge? What was one of your highpoints so far (it is not over yet, but September is just around the corner!)?
Rest is important for us as humans. We cannot go 100 miles per hour, seven days a week. Our bodies were not created to constantly keep going. It is not good for us mentally, emotionally, physically, and socially to keep going without rest. If we don’t take time to stop and rest, we only hurt ourselves in the long run, and put ourselves at risk of burnout or breakdown (whether that is mentally, emotionally, or physically!). We need rest. It is good that our world is recognizing that need, and that it proclaims it is okay to rest.
While it is good that the need for rest is acknowledged, there is a sphere of our lives in which rest can be forgotten. Which sphere is that? Our faith lives. Just as we need to recharge physically, relationally, emotionally, and mentally, we also need to recharge spiritually. It is just as important as the rest.
God has created us with mind, body, and soul. They are intertwined and connected. We cannot ignore the need for spiritual rest, just as we cannot ignore the need for mental and physical rest. So, how do we recharge spiritually? How do we rest spiritually? Jesus tells us: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
We rest by coming to Jesus. He calls us through the Word (“Come!”), where He gives us the forgiveness our broken, heavy, and tiresome lives need. Through His Word, He strengthens and encourages us. Through His Word, He works in us, and forms us. In His Word, our faith is nourished and fed. He silences our troubled minds, soothes our anxious hearts, reassures our consciences, and restores our soul.
As you enter the final stretch of summer, don’t forget to rest spiritually. Read God’s Word. Attend the Divine Service. Partake in Communion. Remember your baptism. Enjoy the fellowship of other Christians. Enjoy this vital rest He graciously, and freely, gives.
Jesus says, “Come! Come to me.” Take a seat and enjoy the rest you need with your risen and loving Savior.
-Pastor Kooi
(Originally published in Emmaus Footprints, Vol. XXVI No. 1 – August 2024.)