For the One: Who Needs Rest

For the One: Who Needs Rest

I’ve always been one who “bites off more than I can chew” because I want to be a part of everything! But sometimes, the season of life can be independently overwhelming with or without me choosing it to be. This season of life, which is full of many joyous things, is a season like that. I'm wedding planning, seraching for a new job while working a part time job, looking for a place to move into with John (my fiance) once we’re married, running this ministry (FTO), my sister just got married three months ago, and our brother got married last week! Meanwhile, I’m trying to stay on top of my personal health, needs, and at home responsibilities while also balancing other friendships. It’s a whirlwind of a season!

I don't know about you, but in seasons like this (or honestly just life in general) I can get pretty overwhelmed at times. Life can be so hard juggling work, ministry, personal life, relationships, and all other details that fall into those categories. Sometimes I don’t know if I will just always chronically be tired/ stressed.

I can't tell you how many times I come home after a long day just exhausted and drained. You know the kind of days where you just want to come home and turn your brain off because it has already turned to mush? The kind of feeling where even opening your Bible feels like too much work and seems more exhausting than anything.

I’ve noticed in times like these, I typically turn to one of two things; scrolling on my phone or watching tv (or both at the same time). In times like these, this seems like the best option because I'm so tired that I don't want to do anything that takes any effort, so this seems like a restful activity. Ironically though, after completing this activity, I still feel just as tired, if not even more tired afterwards. It’s like this temporary restful activity made my brain even more mush and didn’t actually give me rest. 

On the other hand, any and every time I have spent quality time with the Lord in the Word, in prayer, and/or in worship, I always end up feeling rejuvenated and lighter. I feel like I can think more clearly and feel more purposeful. I even feel excited and energized. This activity seems to take more mental effort to get into, but it actually provides the rest I need!

It’s crazy how the enemy always seems to set us up to be deceived by temporary pleasures, even in activities that don’t necessarily feel harmful or negative. The enemy always leads us astray to a temporary fix. He always leads us to the knock-off version of the real thing we are actually looking for. In this example, when I’m looking for rest, laying on the couch mindlessly scrolling/ watching TV looks appealing because it doesn't appear to take much mental/physical effort, yet is actually draining my brain even more by overworking it. Versus spending time in the Word/ with the Lord honestly doesn’t seem as appealing when I’m exhausted because it feels like it will take more energy from me to do so, but I always feel rejuvenated after.

The word says in Matthew 11:28-30, “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.” The rest our souls, minds, and body’s long for is in Jesus! So the next time you come home after a long day, or in a time you just feel worn out by the world, instead of flipping on the TV or scrolling on your phone, take some intentional time with the Lord and watch how He refuels your soul!

This week’s memory verse:

“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

Love,

Ashley

FTO Co-founder