Horizon Church Christmas Advent Bible Reading Plan: The Joy of Every Longing HeartSample

I would venture to guess that many of us are coming into this holiday season running on fumes. Maybe your well-laid plans of soaking up the season at a slower pace have taken a back seat to midnight Amazon scrolling for all the gifts for all the people. Especially if you happen to be the one in your house who “makes Christmas happen,” there are probably far too many things on your to-do list to feel like you might come out the other side rested. What a nice idea.

Yet, somewhat miraculously, reading these words of invitation from Jesus in Matthew 11 opens up the space for me to take a deep breath. Because, as it turns out, I don’t just need rest from a busy schedule or to-do lists or being an introvert around people all the time (though, I certainly do)I need a rest that settles far more deeply into my bones. I need rest from the work of trying to prove my worth and earning a place in God’s family and trying to live up to the standards that Christ has already fulfilled on my behalf.

I need rest from the work that was never mine in the first place.

What good news indeed these words of Jesus offer us: Rest. Soul rest. Because He has taken on the work of salvation. He has already borne that burden for us. There is an unburdening that happens when we come to Jesus if we are willing to relinquish the tight grip of control on our lives. Here we are not promised easier circumstances or fewer responsibilities. But we are offered green pastures in His presence (Psalm 23:2). We are promised the tender care and affection of our Shepherd who has laid down His life for us (John 10:11). We are tethered to the One who can actually stand up under the weight that crushes us (Matthew 11:29).

I don’t know what your soul is weary of in this season. Be it uncertainty, fear, loss, doubt, disappointment, loneliness, or the sheer exhaustion of just trying to keep up the performance, hear the sweet and tender invitation of Jesus today who wants to bear that load and restore your soul in the process. May you indeed find your soul’s rest in Him.