There’s too much to do and not enough time. I’m sure each of us has muttered these words at some point, or at the very least thought them. 

We spin our wheels through our lives trying to get through the things that we are doing so that we can make it to the next thing on the list. 

I wish that I had more time freed up to do the things that I want to do, rather than the things that I have to do.

I’d rather not go to work and spend my time supporting my church in various ways and pouring into people’s lives, and writing. 

I’d rather not have to go grocery shopping or run to the post office, or get my oil changed and spend my time volunteering… or honestly even running errands for other people. 

I don’t mind a busy life. I enjoy working hard and the feeling of an “accomplished tired” at the end of a long week, but it seems that as time goes on, I am more and more burdened by the demands and business of adult life. 

God created time. He created the Sun and the Moon, and daytime and nighttime. And He called it good. (Genesis 1:1-5, 14-19)

He created 7 days, morning and night, and after 6 days of working, He rested on the 7th as an example to us of the importance both of work and rest. He created the perfect balance for us. 

Something went wrong along the way and we filled our 7 days to the brim taking each minute and filling it full of this or that. Then we act surprised when we are exhausted and anxious about the days ahead, knowing what is to come, and dreading it all the while. 

Sometimes we don’t think we even have time to rest. “I don’t have a WHOLE day to dedicate to resting!”, we exclaim. And there are probably times in our lives that this is true. 

Rest can look different for each of us, and it can look different for our own lives at different times. It can be settling down with a good book, or catching up or playing games with friends, taking a nap, gardening, fixing the car, painting… there are several ways that each person can be filled.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” — Matthew 11:28-30

What if we had time with the Lord to be rejuvenated each day? What if we took those moments when we are overwhelmed and anxious about the schedules that lie before us and prayed or opened God’s Word? Do you think we would change? Do you think that we would receive rest? 

I believe the answer is ‘yes’. It might not look how we think it should. It might look more like an increasing trust in Jesus, or a perspective shift instead of a beach vacation or spa day. 

And I am preaching this to myself at this moment too, friends. I need to seize every moment I can to turn my attention to Jesus. Will you challenge yourself to do the same and see how He gifts us with the rest that we so desperately need?