READ: HEBREWS 4: 1-11
So, there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. (V. 9)
A small band of intrepid bicyclists set out to ride roundtrip on the North Bend Rail Trail stretching from Wolf Summit to Parkersburg, WVA. We allotted three days to complete the 142-mile journey through 13 tunnels; crossing 36 bridges; and traversing what was labeled a panoramic scenic trail. However, the printed word did not match reality as encountered a poorly maintained trail due to state budget cuts. We found ourselves riding through waste deep grass fields; crossing through natural gas drilling and fracking sites while dodging heavy equipment and startled by the sound of occasional explosions; and riding, but mostly pushing our bikes through some tunnels that were unlit and in poor repair. Bone wearing fatigue become our constant companion as we all pushed to the finish. It took me two days to recover from this scenic ride through “Mountain Mamma” country!
Today we are facing political fatigue; economic fatigue; social media fatigue; and world news fatigue. This plethora of fatigues has affected us for not just a short period of time, like with strenuous physical bursts of activity, but for a continual string of days, months and years. The steady drumbeat of these realities on our minds, and emotional well-being, makes rest, even for short periods of time, elusive at best and non-existent at worst. Yet, even on the days we are exasperated and ready to throw in the towel, Jesus provides much needed respite as we heed his call; “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:30) These words fill us with the confident assurance that we will find peace, love and healing with Him, enabling to us to overcome any fatigue brought on by the stressors of our times.
Rest for the mind, body and soul can be fleeting in a world that has been turned upside down by uncertainty and unrest at all levels of society for a multitude of reasons. But, the Good News, reinforced by the writing of the Apostle Paul, is that within the scope of God’s unchanging master plan for his children, he has indeed prepared a place of rest for us sheltered from all the storms in the sea of life. The gates to this place were opened by the blood of His Son Jesus and can be reached by following the loving and trustworthy lead of the Holy Spirit.
PAUSE FOR REFLECTION AND PRAYER
When the burdens of life feel overwhelming and you cannot find the strength and courage to move forward, be still if only for a moment, and feel the presence of God, His Son and the Holy Spirit lifting the weight from your soul and giving you rest.
Dear Jesus, help us truly surrender all our burdens to you that we may come to know true peace and rest from the fatigues of living.