By Andrew Williams
Opening Prayer
Jesus, thank you for being a safe harbor for our weary souls. Help us to hear and accept your invitation to rest today.
Today’s Scripture (NLT)
Matthew 11:28
“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.'”
After a week focused on the intentional work of growing, we now turn to its essential counterpart: resting. The Christian life is a rhythm of both, and without rest, our work becomes weary striving. Jesus begins this beautiful passage with the most gentle and open invitation. He doesn’t call the strong, the successful, or the ones who have it all together. He calls the “weary” and those who “carry heavy burdens.”
What are these burdens? They can be the weight of our sin, the pressure to perform, the anxiety of an uncertain future, or the simple exhaustion of a demanding life. Jesus sees you carrying that weight, and He doesn’t tell you to carry it better. He offers you an exchange. He says, “Come to me… and I will give you rest.”
This rest is not something we earn or achieve; it is a gift He gives. It is a deep, soul-level peace that comes from handing over our heavy burdens to the One who is strong enough to carry them. The first step to a 24/7 Christian lifestyle of peace is to accept this great invitation, to stop trying to handle it all on your own, and to simply come to Jesus.
Disciples’ Life Tip: Verbally name the heaviest burden you are carrying right now. Then, in a simple prayer, picture yourself handing that burden over to Jesus and say, “Jesus, I am weary. I give this burden to you, and I receive the rest you offer.”
Closing Prayer: Lord Jesus, we come to you today—weary, burdened, and in need of your peace. Thank you for your open arms. We receive your gift of rest. Amen.
