Rest In The LORD

John, meanwhile, had been locked up in prison. When he got wind of what Jesus was doing, he sent his own disciples to ask, “Are you the One we've been expecting, or are we still waiting?” Matthew 11:2-3 (MSG)

During these few days while I was seeking God, He has been speaking to me about resting in Him. I was in a state of tiredness, and I came to a point where I needed to ask myself, “Why am I so tired and drained physically and emotionally when I'm settling harsh issues?”

God brought me back to Matthew 11, and when I was reading through, this thought of irony came to my mind. Before John was put into prison, he was baptising people and preaching about repentance. He was preparing the way for Jesus, and He knew that Jesus was the one who was to come (Matthew 3:13-17). How is it possible that John can ask Jesus such a question when there was already confirmation?

I feel that sometimes we can be like John. When we are pushed to our limits, and we feel so emotionally drained because of so many things at hand, we may ask the question like John did. And I realized this - when I'm drained and exhausted with doing the work that Christ has commissioned me to do, it's either most probably because I'm doing this with my own strength, or because I did not encourage myself in the LORD after those discouragements I heard.

“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)

For those who are experiencing a burnout currently, feeling that strain all over, or even have been hurt by people in the process of doing things for the LORD, I believe God wants to draw us back to walk and work with Him again - to realize that we are not doing the things He called us to do based on our own strength; we move in the grace of God.

“Soak and immerse yourselves in the river of My love and grace. I'm here to heal and restore broken hearts today. I grant rest to those I love. Don't focus on the problems you have at hand. Focus on Me. I WILL walk with you and bring you through. You are not meant to work and walk alone; I'll be with you always. Run to Me and lean upon Me.” says the LORD.

Daddy God has every single one of us in the palms of His hands, cradling us in His loving, big arms. Rest in the arms of grace. Stay close to Jesus and rest in the LORD. :)

He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters.
Psalm 23:2 (AMP)