One of the things I have enjoyed doing for a number of years is working with Habitat for Humanity. I have done it off and on for about a dozen years now, but I had not done anything with Habitat since last September. Travel, preaching at Port Isabel for a month, a death in the family, the holidays, bad weather and illness had put me on the sidelines. But that changed last week. I was able to go help do some chainsaw work, helping clear off a lot for our next build. I worked for four hours, and while it felt good, I was completely worn out after that. Not having done anything like that for a while meant I was out of shape. I needed a lot of rest.

Physical exhaustion tells you that you need to rest. If you don’t, it can have severe consequences. Why don’t we recognize the same thing about ourselves in the spiritual realm? We try to cover up and hide our spiritual exhaustion from ourselves and others, which can also have dire consequences.

We often speak of Jesus being our example to follow, and that should be true in this area as well. When he felt depleted, He went and talked to His Father (Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16). This would give Him the rest and refreshment He needed. And He invites us to do the same.

Matthew 11:28–30 ²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ 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. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

“Rest for your souls.” It comes when we spend time with Jesus. We speak to Him. We listen to His Word. We remind ourselves that He is our Savior, that He has rescued us from sin, death and the devil. He has given us His salvation and assured us of complete forgiveness and life eternal. And He promises to be with us every step of the way as we go through our lives.

Jesus knows that living as His followers will wear us down at times. That is why He invites us to come to Him. And He promises us the rest we need. Spend some time speaking and listening to Him every day.