The Need for Rest

When the word rest is spoken, most of us immediately think of a good night's sleep or a nap. Physical rest is a very important part of our health. For perfect transparency, I am a big fan of a good nap. Sleep is vital for the well-being of all animals although the amount may vary with different species.

However, there are types of rest that we can need that are not supplied through sleep. I believe that when Jesus spoke of rest in Matthew 11:28-30, He was offering some rest that sleep does not provide.

"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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Consider these three aspects of rest that could be part of Jesus' offer of rest:

• Physical Need for Rest - apart from the physical need for sleep is the physical need for rest that results from overextending oneself by trying to do everything or control everything. This need results from turning down offers of help from friends, family, and coworkers. An attitude of "I want it done my way" or "I can do it better" can lead to a discouragement or despair that sleep can't fix.

  
  

• Mental Need for Rest - this need for rest results from trying to solve everyone else's problems including one's own or at least feeling responsible for trying to solve them. The brain fatigue that results from the inability to solve all these problems leads to depression.

  
  

• Spiritual Need for Rest - basically, it is the burden of unconfessed and unforgiven sin and the guilt that accompanies that sin that pulls a person into an inability to function in an honest and trustworthy manner with even the people closest to them. This area of need can also cause the physical and mental needs for rest to multiply.

What a list! How can a person deal with any or all of these overwhelming needs. The answer is that none of us can. And that is the greatness of Jesus' offer to give us rest. Consider how He is able to complete His offer of rest to us in these areas.

• Physical Need for Rest - Remember that even though Jesus is the promised Messiah and the Son of God, He called twelve men that He trained and equipped to carry out His work in this world. They were to also teach and train others who would continue this process. He demonstrated organization and delegation. In addition, to His disciples then, and continuing to us today, He promised to be with us. This promise with the added addition of the Holy Spirit is to provide us with the help and guidance we need in all situations.

  
  

• Mental Need for Rest - Remember that you are not alone in this world. We have been entrusted with the gift of prayer. We cannot know the solution to everyone else's problems, but the One who created all of us does know. Interceding in behalf of others for God to provide to them the answers to life's dilemmas opens the door for God's intervention. Regarding prayer, the Scripture says that "you have not because you ask not." Pray asking for God's will to be done, not only in your life, but in the lives of those for whom you have concern. He may choose to use you in solving a problem or He may choose to answer in a different way. Allow Him to be the God that He is.

  
  

• Spiritual Need for Rest - The fact that you and I are sinners is not surprising. The Bible states that "all have sinned." The question is what will you do about it. Jesus has already died on the cross taking on Himself all of our sin and paid the requirement for it to be forgiven. You and I are responsible to admit or confess our sin to God and in the name of Jesus and because of our faith in Him, ask for forgiveness. His promise is to forgive us. We then no longer have to carry that burden of guilt around. He has cleansed us of that sin and its guilt. You and I could never do that for ourselves, but He has done it for us.

When Jesus says to come to Him for rest, He means for all the types of rest that we require. Jesus and Jesus alone is capable of giving you and me the rest that we need. What is the area of life that is screaming for rest in your life? He has extended the offer of His rest. Maybe now is a good time to accept His offer.

My prayer is that we might all enjoy the blessings of a restful life in Jesus.