Today I woke up tired – what’s up with that? Aren’t we supposed to wake up rested???
I know why I was tired – I started a new exercise class yesterday & we had a good 45 minute workout, then my wife & I walked the track for a while after that – then I resumed the rest of my work day.
Physical tiredness is one thing. Emotional, Spiritual, Mental and Relational tiredness is another.
If you’re physically tired, you can take a nap…rest up.
If you’re emotionally, spiritually, mentally or relationally tired…you can’t always get away from the stress-producing things that are wearing you out.
You may not get away from them…but you do have A Way to get real rest.
Matthew 11:27-28 NASB “All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Come to Me, all who (work to exhaustion) are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Look at the context here – Jesus is talking to highly religious people whose whole lives revolve around religion—destructive religion. And He tells them the problem – not a one of them KNOW Him or God the Father. The result is they are tired – weary – and heavy-laden.
The remedy – the only remedy – is to quit working to exhaustion trying to please God…and instead Come to Jesus and receive His Rest!
OK—what does that mean? What is Jesus’s Rest? I’ve you’ve been with me the last several days, you’ve probably figured out that JESUS HIMSELF…IS REST!
To have real rest – absolute rest – perfect rest – rest that makes a difference – we go within – where Jesus lives in us – where we are immersed into Him – where we are ONE with Him!!!
Rather than ask for rest, plead for rest, hope for rest, we avail ourselves of Jesus’ faith – the faith OF Christ…and “enter” His rest…His Presence…which is where we already are. Then we relax, rest, and trust Him…we experience and enjoy Jesus…Rest Himself.
Jesus…Rest…is in us and around us and all through us. Hebrews 4:1-3 tells us: Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they (The Israelites) heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. For we who have believed enter that rest.
Perfect Rest – Christ – is IN you…that’s an objective truth. However, until you agree with Christ’s faith – believe what He believes – you won’t subjectively profit from what you have already!
So – remember today – Jesus Himself – is Perfect Rest. Come to Him – He’s already there…in You. As you know Him intimately – you not only experience ultimate Rest…you experience the LIFE of the Ages!
Jesus said (John 17:3) This is the LIFE of the Ages (eternal life) – that you KNOW Him and the Father.
Rest, my friends! ~Paul Gray