YOU NEED REST
- Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
- 14 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Readings:
Exodus 3:13-20
Psalm 105:1,5,8-9,24-27
Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus extends a deeply personal invitation to you: ‘Come to me.’ He does not say ‘Come to my teachings’ or ‘Come to my followers’, but ‘Come to me.’ This is an individual, intimate call. And with this call comes a promise: ‘I will give you rest.’ But what kind of rest is this? We may think of rest as inactivity, but in the biblical sense, it means something far richer.
It is like the refreshment of a weary traveller who finds an air-conditioned room, well-prepared food, chilled bottled water, a plate of fruits, a bathtub with lukewarm water and soft music playing after a long and exhausting journey or a hectic day at work. Such a rest restores, renews, and strengthens. Such rest is not about withdrawing from life, but about finding in Christ the deep wellspring of peace that enables us to continue the journey with new strength and joy.
What are the things that keep you restless?
Unhealthy comparisons.
Prayerlessness.
Irregular sacramental life.
Preoccupation with the cult of the body (how to beautify it and make it more desirable).
Ignorance of God’s word in scripture.
Mindless consumption of social media content.
Gossiping and slander.
Persistence in sin and harmful habits.
How do I find such rest?
Start your day in silence.
Turn to prayer at different points in the day.
Fill your mind with the words of Scripture at the beginning of the day.
Do not flood your mind with social media content or news as soon as you wake.
Stay away from gossip and bad news if you can.
Flee from unhealthy comparisons with others (even friends and colleagues).
Accept yourself and work on the aspects you struggle with.
Go for sacramental confession regularly.
Make time for restful and refreshing sleep.
JUDE-MARY OWOH
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”
If you said the prayer, Congratulations! You are welcome to the body of Christ. Prayerfully look for a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor or priest.
Prayer:
Eternal Father, I submit to your call. Put to rest the worries of my mind, my bodily insecurities and my soul’s sinful decay. I trust You to do with me what is best for me through Christ our Lord. Amen.
May God set your heart at rest, fill your mind with peace, free your soul of sin that clings too tightly, and set you free from every evil encumbrance. You are free indeed through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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