Are you tired? Weary? Are you beginning a new year with an already overflowing schedule? Too many people clamoring for your time? Or do you dread getting up in the morning because a new day means another twenty-four hours to live with a broken heart?

I have good news for you! A message from our gentle Savior:

“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.

Jesus, our gentle brother, does not promise physical rest but something far more important – soul rest.

Is it possible to experience soul rest in our daily world of too many commitments, too much stuff, and too much self-absorption? Is it possible to reflect the gentleness of our Savior in the midst of anxious, frantic, too much pressure, too little time culture? Is it possible to display that gentleness when your own heart is broken?

There seems to be a conflicted message in this passage:

Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.

But that way of rest is:

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.

Rather than relieving our schedules, it appears that Jesus is urging us to add one more responsibility to our list of things to do!

What is the yoke Jesus wants us to carry?

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind and strength. Matthew 22:37

Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:39

What does the Lord require? To act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

Be still and know that He is God. Psalm 46:10

A Godly Love Affair

Shortly after the death of our son, another bereaved mother whispered in my ear as tears streamed down both of our faces, “Jesus wants to have a love affair with you.” In that dark midnight of grief, my greatest need was to let Jesus love me. The non-negotiable of my life today is to experience His love.

The yoke of Jesus is an intimate love affair with Him. That love affair results in soul rest. Soul rest produces lives of purpose and peace even in the middle of urgent needs.

Weary, burdened children of God are nothing new. Isaiah 28:12-13 describes the reaction of the Israelites to God’s call to “the resting place.”

God said, “This is the resting place, let the weary rest”, and “This is the place of repose” – but they would not listen. So then, the world of the Lord to them will become: Do and do, do and do, rule on rule, rule on rule; a little here; a little there – so that they will go and fall backward, be injured and snared and captured.”

Oh my. Refusing God’s invitation to “the resting place” results in frantic doing and bondage to our own rules. What is wrong with us?

What is the “resting place” to which God called His people – the place they refused to go? The place we often refuse to go?

The resting place is the heart of God.

When the Israelites were boxed in by Pharaoh’s army, “terrified and cried out to the Lord.” Moses reassured them:

“Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today….The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:13-14

God’s “resting place” for His children has not changed:

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

The Ancient Path

Before you sigh with disappointment that I haven’t given you a new secret way to find “rest for your soul,” know that God calls us back to the “ancient path.” Jesus quotes this passage in Matthew 11:28-29.

This is what the Lord says, “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls…. .Jeremiah 6:16

The Israelites did not like God’s pathway to the “place of repose.” In response to God’s exhortation to ask for the ancient way, they said, “We will not walk in it…..”

The invitation of our gentle Savior to exchange our weariness for soul rest remains the same. His yoke is easy. It’s loving Him with all our hearts, minds and souls. His burden is light. It’s loving others because of the way He loves us.

It is the ancient way, the good way that leads us to rest for our souls.

God’s Invitation

Friends, we stand at the crossroads of “The Resting Place” and “Rebellion.” Not only does God prepare “The Resting Place” for His children. Along the “ancient path” are treasures designed to lead us into the “place of repose” that results in soul rest.

This new year, open up these treasures and enjoy the priceless privilege of the yoke that will give you rest.

The Gift of His Word: Love letters designed to reveal His love and encourage me to believe His love covers me

His Holy Spirit: As we soak in God’s Word, God’s Holy Spirit pours out God’s love in our daily lives, moment by moment

The Family of God: Cultivating meaningful friendships and corporate worship deepens our love for God

Circumstances: God is sovereign and you can trust Him.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials. For we know that they are good for us – they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us, and helps us trust God more each time we use it, until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady. Then when that happens we are able to hold our heads high no matter what happens, and know that all is well, for we know how dearly God loves us, and we feel this warm love everywhere within us because God has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love. Romans 5:1-5, The Living Bible

As you make resolutions for this new year, stand at this crossroads and look. Ask those who have gone before you for the ancient way, the good way. When they tell you that it is being still and really knowing God, instead of saying with the Israelites, “I will not walk in it,” step into that place of repose and put on the “yoke of God’s love.” There you will find rest for your soul.