ROAD MAP TO REST

Matthew 11:28 “Then Jesus said, Come unto me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

A Tahoma, Washington newspaper carried the story of Tattoo the basset hound a while back. Tattoo didn’t intend to go for an evening run, but when his owner shut the dog’s leash in the car door and took off for a drive – with Tattoo still outside the vehicle, he had no choice. Motorcycle officer Terry Filbert noticed a passing vehicle with something dragging behind it. He commented that the poor basset hound was, “picking them up and putting them down as fast as he could.” He chased the car to a stop, and Tattoo was rescued. But not before the dog had reached a top speed of 25 miles per hour, falling down and rolling over several times.

Too many of us are living our lives like Tattoo, picking them up and putting them down as fast as we can – rolling around and feeling dragged through life. We live in a very tense, uptight and fast paced world filled with hurry.

Time magazine noted that back in the 1960’s, expert testimony was given to a Senate sub-committee on time management. They predicted that advances in technology would radically change how many hours a week people worked. They forecasted that the average American would be working 22 hours a week within 20 years. “The great challenge,” the experts said, “would be figuring out what to do with all the excess time.” Over 40 years later, after major advances in technology – how many of us are wondering what to do with all the excess time on our hands?

The truth is that we’re all experiencing the rat race. Just when you thought you were getting ahead, along come faster rats. But remember, he who wins the rat race is still a rat. We need to learn how to experience rest. If all we needed was physical rest we can always take a nap. If we needed only emotional rest, we can always take a vacation. But where can we find spiritual rest? How can we obtain relief regarding the deepest issues of life at the deepest level of our hearts?

The answer is found in our scripture. Note the instruction that Jesus offers. “Come unto me.” Christ promises to supply the spiritual rest and assurance that we so desperately need. We will surely be tempted to look for rest and satisfaction in many different things. Possessions, friends, toys, and more are often alluring when we begin feeling the “burn out” from day to day living. But when our burdens become heavy, we must make the conscious effort to settle in him. To come to him in humble submission. We should take a moment for just the two of us. By blocking out the noise and clamor of our troubles and trials, we can hear his voice and feel his mighty hand. He will surely build us up in our faith and strengthen our resolve so that we can be the person God has called us to be.

The next time you start to feel overwhelmed – STOP. Stop looking for rest in everything else. Come to the almighty God. He is all you really need.