An Invitation to Rest (and 10 verses for your weary soul)
Wizzz! – out went Dad’s line, landing near the pond’s alcove of pines. I sat straight like a rod in the middle of the canoe. The red-white bobber indicated no takers. “Dad, nothing is happening!” “Shhh, Bean. We have to be patient.”
Not until I became a mother did I realize why my father loved to take me fishing. Silence. Sure, he enjoyed the sport and pan-fried rainbow trout. But I’m on to his method that went something like, “Hey kids, let’s pile into a boat and see who can be the quietest as we wait out the morning for a bite.” (And leave your mom at home to rest.)
Reality hits home: rest seems impossible
I once heard Thomas Edison liked to fish every morning. He never caught a thing because he didn’t use bait; fish and people left him alone for an hour to think.
I, too, crave white space to think uninterrupted from “Mami, I want a snack,” construction noise, phone notifications, social media, and more.
And those things are just external distractions. Forget about the mental to-do list, the reel of shame on repeat in my mind, and discouragement. I’m not beyond daily struggles, friend.
Some of it is the season I’m in with a curious, bright toddler that has me daydreaming of silent retreats. But I also sense something deeper in our culture that feeds on restlessness. Feeling the pressure to always be on, reply to Facebook, Instagram, Marco Polo, emails, texts, and more. That doesn’t even count the lovely Christmas and New Year’s notes we received, and I haven’t acknowledged. We might be on the “doesn’t get a card” list next year, I fear. It’s another layer of pressure—to respond to everyone thoughtfully and with undivided attention.
If only I could get on top of it all, then I would feel peaceful and able to rest.
I can’t do it all!
You’re not meant to, my soul whispered.
Okay, when my daughter is back at school, then I can get back to everyone. But really, do I want to?
What has to break?
Am I heaping more expectations on myself than anyone is actually asking of me? Well, besides my daughter, who does her best to tell me exactly what she wants, I think I need to let a lot slide.
What if I turn off my phone for a day? Okay…maybe for an hour. Watch some birds, or the way the wind moves the tree branches outside my window. Or how about I start … So many ideas. I’m life-coaching myself—ah! Even when I want to rest, my brain turns to work.
Jesus – what do you expect of me? I’m exhausted. This doesn’t feel right. I’m letting so many people down.
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30, MSG)
An Invitation to rest
“Will a rhythm of rest give me what my soul craves?”
“Yes, sweet Sarah. Let my way, my truth, and my life (John 14:6) become yours, and be ready to be released to live lightly and freely in my love.”
Read Jesus’ words again in the passage above.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8
“You will still let people down, and others will disappoint you, but get away with me, and you’ll find what’s best. Let me sustain you. I know what you long for, and I am always here inviting you back to rest in my love.
You are only human, your burdens pile up after a moment of taking your eyes off me. But it’ll get easier the more you rest with me,” Jesus encouraged my soul.
“Now come on, let’s go fishing.”
Reflection
Where are you? How is your heart?
What do you need to let go of?
When was the last time you rested? How can you make it happen again this week?
10 Verses for the Weary Soul
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest — Matthew 11:28
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul — Psalm 23:1–3
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever — Psalm 73:26
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak — Isaiah 40:29
Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him — Psalm 62:1
The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” — Exodus 33:14
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you — 1 Peter 5:7
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me — Psalm 23:4
The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace — Psalm 29:11
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up — Galatians 6:9
All Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV), Zondervan, 2011.
Feeling weary and needing refreshment for your soul?
Discover how God restores and revives weary hearts through stories of hope and healing. Download the first three chapters of my memoir for free: Love Letters from Poland. Available at sarahdeorlando.com and on Amazon in your country.