March 2020 - Come to me!

There is an art to finding true rest in our lives. When we are anxious or burdened, rest is more than just a day off work, a day to sleep in, a time of bingeing on TV or going on an exotic vacation. 

Jesus says, “Come to me … and I will give you rest!” (Matt. 11:28) How often do we think about going to Jesus when we are tired, burned out, anxious or just feeling the burdens of life?  

When was the last time you came to Jesus and sat quietly during your time of devotions with the Lord? I struggle at times when people ask me – at a conference, for example – these questions, “Are you ‘going‘ to devotions?” “Why weren’t you at devotions today?” “Isn’t going to devotions something you ‘do’?” 

Webster’s dictionary defines devotions as “an act of prayer or private worship.” Jesus issued a call to come to him when we are tired and weary and burdened. We are to “go” to Jesus; a time with him is when our devotions are to be practiced.  

Coming to Jesus in devotion means a surrender of our will and our desire for other things. We are to seek the heart of God during our devotional time with Jesus. What does God’s Word say about my pain? What does God’s Word say about my decisions? What does God’s Word say about my anxiety and my burdens? 

When we come to Jesus with these questions, his Word gives us answers and we will find rest for our souls. 

Jesus is saying, “Come to me!”  

As we journey together through our prayers for March and April, may we choose health and wellness for our souls. May we seek out more time with Jesus. As we continue digging deeper into the truth about godly rest, you will find more on this topic in my column “Exploring Hope Today.”