When our soul is the restless one, physical rest will not suffice. Sleep, getaway, and other means to rest will just restore our physical exhaustion. Not our soul. Not out mind. Not our heart.
I’m not sure if you have been into a situation where things are just falling apart before your own eyes. The things that you have built on your own started to crumble and shatter. It leaves you restless and hopeless. Your mind is filled with many thoughts that you could not control anymore. It’s tiring. But yes, this happens quite sometimes. I had this moment, too. And I understand how painful it is!
Someone has said, “Why do leaves fall? To start again.”
Then I think of my life. This pretty much an illustration of it for the past years. I did not recognize that for so long, I had lived a hurried and noisy life. I always thought that it was what I wanted in the first place. I enjoyed being mobile and fast-paced life. Until one day, I found myself with nothing but debris of a life that was sapped by the world. What happened to me? I asked myself. I have been a Christian for more than a decade but I think that my life is still in the middle ground. I often shared with you how my life has turned upside down when I got diagnosed with tumors in my thyroid. That was the point where I had not just pause but stopped. I started to find the deeper meaning of life and not only the shallow façade of life.
During those times that I felt, I was like a candle burning and melting until it could not light any more. I felt that my soul was crying out loud. She was tired and exhausted from running the race of life without any purpose. But I treasured this moment because it was the point where God met me. All along, I had been tired but set it aside. All along, I wanted to move out from that kind of chaotic life, but the enticement was so strong that I kept fighting until there’s no more strength in me. That’s the time when I realized that yes, God is the true source of rest. I had not experienced this rest in my soul because I had forgotten Him. I was so caught up with the world and the fancy things it offered.
Saint Augustine said this: “Thou hast formed us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee.”
He has formed us and we will never find the true rest apart from Him. So, this is a new beginning. I need to start again. Thank God, He is willing to pick those shattered pieces up and make a new heart for me.
The Lord said Himself in Matthew 11: 28-29, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” This is the recipe for restful life.
How can this be? Here are ways on how we can experience this wonderful life in Him.
1. Come to Me. The Lord is inviting us to come to Him and lay our cares upon Him and He will give us rest. Many things can make us stress: financial difficulties, family problems, health, relationship, and even work-related problems. These things can weigh us down and can make us feel depressed at times. Well, when we come to Him, those problems and difficulties won’t go away. However, He promised to give us rest if we come to Him and choose to lay down those unpleasant things on His feet.
“My soul, wait for thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.“
2. Take my Yoke. At first, I was wondering, why take His yoke? I know that yoke is used by two animals plowing in the field constraining them and making them carry the load. When I am bearing His yoke, mine will become lighter and of course, I can’t go my way. I need to walk in unity and harmony with Him so I will not be hurt and we will be together in whatever situation I am into. What an encouragement that is! I will never walk alone. I will never face this trial or problem alone. He is with me and He is willing to carry my burden when I can no longer stand.
3. Learn of me. Maybe carrying that yoke will not be easy for us because we are used to carrying our own yoke. Inside of us, there is that pride of going our way. But He asks us to learn from Him. He knows what we are going through. He lived a life like us. He knows how fragile humans can be. He is the best teacher for He is meek and lowly in heart. The only thing that He needs from us is our trust and submission. Then we will find that our soul will rest in Him.
“My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:” Psalm 63:5
4. Rest in Him. “For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.” This is what God can do if we are willing to rest in Him. He will make us full. He will replenish our depleted strength. Then we can find the true rest of our soul.
The reason why most of us find themselves restless is that we tend to go our way. We strive to push our own will. Most of the time, it is outside of God’s will. I did this for so long and it left me disappointed and frustrated. Letting God sit on the throne brings peace, rest, and order in our lives.
It is a great blessing to be yoked with the Lord.
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