Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. – Matthew 11:28

Do you find yourself telling others, “I’m just so busy”? Though all the gadgets and technology are intended to make life easier, they have not made it less hectic. Maybe you find yourself checking and rechecking your phone or watch to the extent that you miss other things in your distraction. Information is constantly available at your finger tips that you never really knew you needed. Perhaps you don’t take the time to read, you just scroll through. From dawn until late in the dark, some people move at an unsustainable pace and then wonder why they are tired! You do not have to be part of that cross-section of society whose sleep is restless, who cannot still their minds from all that needs to be done tomorrow!

Be encouraged. Jesus has invited you to, “Come to me and rest.” As with most invitations, He desires a response from you. Are you putting off resting with Jesus? Do you reply, “Thanks for the invite, Jesus, maybe in a day or two,” or maybe you say, “I can spare ten minutes, then I have to get busy.” Or you may even think, “I am just so exhausted, I wouldn’t be very good company.” The Lord has likely heard every excuse humans can come up with. But, if you struggle with stress and anxiety, rest is what you really need.

So what do you do? Breathe. Slow down. Turn devices off. Unplug. Observe a true time of rest. God initiated a Sabbath, which is observed less and less in these modern times. The Lord knows you and your frame, how you are made, and what your body needs. Rearrange your schedule to read your Bible, pray, and shut things down to rest in a time of reflection on Jesus.

The invitation to rest is always open. Be aware of the adversary’s attempt to steal rest from you. Jesus still says, “Come.” Intercede for the believers who serve in the three branches of the federal government, that they would take the time to heed Jesus’ invitation to rest awhile with Him.