Does Your Soul Need Rest?

At the beginning of this week, I had a wonderful plan. I absolutely love paper planners, and my week was organized down to every last color-coded detail. My appointments were lined up, work meetings were prepped, and my chore list would have made Martha Stewart envious.

Unfortunately, the week didn’t turn out as planned.

If I’m being honest, only a very tiny percentage of the plan actually happened… and it wasn’t pretty.

Sickness, weather, chaos, and stress decided to take over the week’s calendar, and at the end of the week rather than patting myself on the back for a job well done, I am crawling toward the finish line.

I hope they serve chocolate at the finish line.

Do you ever have weeks where things just don’t go as planned no matter how hard you try?

Does your soul need rest?

I think about Jesus speaking to the crowds. Can you imagine how it felt to hear Jesus in person? I can imagine walking for miles to see the one who everyone has been talking about, this man who is able to heal the sick and raise the dead. As the crowd pushes closer to hear Jesus speak, I imagine the words my soul longs to hear:

“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.” Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)

Rest.

Jesus isn’t asking us to figure it all out on our own. He’s not shaking his head in disappointment when we mess up or when our days don’t turn out as planned.

I picture his arms outstretched as he gentle whispers, “Come to me… and I will give you rest.”

At the end of the long week, let’s pause together to seek Jesus, to come to Him and accept the rest that only He can give. We don’t have to have all the answers. We depend on him to calm our souls in the midst of chaos or failed plan.

I pray today you’ll see his arms outstretched to you. Will you come to him and accept the peace and rest only He can offer?