As Told By A Scoundrel: Rest for the Childlike

October 2, 2022 Speaker: Chris Francis Series: As Told By a Scoundrel

Topic: Rest

Matthew 11:25-30

We all face burdens in life. Sometimes it's the burden of complexity ("I can't figure this out"), sometimes it's the burden of quantity ("I've got too much coming at me"), sometimes it's the burden of a personal conflict ("this person has disrespected me greatly" or "why is this person so hurt by me?"), and sometimes it's the burden of spiritual dryness ("God, where are you?").
Jesus told his followers that there would be a burden for them to carry. But he said that it would be a light burden, and that when we come to HIM, He would give us rest for our souls.
What kind of rest?
If Jesus is God and in control, then we can rest from trying to control areas of our lives. We can be responsible, but we don't have to be in control.
If Jesus paid for our adoption into God's family through his sacrifice, then we can rest from needing to be accepted and validated by other people. We can love people, but we don't need them to think well of us all the time.
If Jesus proved himself on our behalf through perfect obedience to the Father, then we can rest from the need to prove ourselves or justify our existence through accomplishments.We can seek to be obedient to the commands of Jesus - not to earn his favor, but because we already have his favor and believe his commands are best for our joy and our peace.
The question is - do we believe Jesus is in control, that we are eternally accepted in God's family, and that we don't have to prove our worth?
Do we really believe it - not just in our heads, but also in our hearts? Is it affecting how we start our days, end our days, and react to trials?