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It seems like life can be so overwhelming at times. Have you ever felt like your day, week or even your month has been busy?
If your life is anything like mine, I’m guessing that is a question I don’t even have to ask because we all know this is true for so many of our lives. Whether it is our current season, something we are getting ready to head into or something we just left…we all have times in our lives of busyness.

We all have a common tendency to believe that if we can just get everything done, if all of the boxes on that to-do list are checked off or if we can just answer one more email or phone call then we will have a satisfied feeling. That feeling of accomplishment…that feeling of achievement like a badge that we just earned for the day. BUT…does this really satisfy us? Perhaps it does for a moment or even for a few hours, but eventually the feeling erodes as we pile more on our plates, create the checklist for the next day, see more emails rolling in, or even just one more conversation that we can have.

My personal confession – I can’t stand badge app numbers on my iPhone. I need them to be at zero, and the ones that I intentionally leave on are my reminders for the next day. However, if those numbers go higher than my intended work for the next, then I confess, I have to check that email. Email on my cell phone…it’s a blessing and a curse all the same time. My suggestion: TURN OFF the notification at the end of your work day.

Do you ever wonder how to find rest from all of this?

I believe that the very best example of someone who found lasting rest and rejuvenation is Jesus. Check it out, Jesus was a busy man who had a lot of people vying for his attention, time, and abilities. He was also being asked questions by those who were critical of him AND from his most beloved followers. People crowded around him, they wanted to be close to him so they followed him from town to town. His reputation evoked a curiosity inside of people which caused them to trek outside of town just to catch a glimpse of who this Jesus man was. Then we come to his abilities…Jesus healed many, he fed many, and he extended care to the marginalized – those who were overlooked. So what do we see from Jesus? Does he always go full speed ahead? Does he run to Starbucks just to keep up his energy – adding a triple shot to that latte?

No – Jesus does the opposite. Jesus retreats to be alone.

This seems opposite than what we might consider for a busy man doesn’t it. You would think that he had so much to accomplish while he was on earth that he would keep a fully packed schedule. Afterall, there were a lot of people who needed to hear the news that he was sharing…and certainly plenty more that needed a healing. Jesus’ list was certainly full, but he made it a point to be alone and pray.

Jesus absolutely knew how important it was to escape to the silence, the stillness, the solitude in order to have a chance to be alone with Our Father. This was precisely how Jesus would rejuvenate in order to process what was next for him – to receive directions and to ensure that he could be the best for those whom he encountered along the way. How do we model this example? What is it that you need to do this week? Can you find 5 minutes to step away, sit alone, go on a walk without any electronic device playing music or a podcast? Can you set the phone aside in order to fill yourself back up without any external influences?

SCRIPTURE LESSON:
Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
In a world burdened by busyness, Jesus invites us into something greater – rest.

The challenge is real. I get it! Let’s try this exercise together right now.

Take 1 minute of silence.

Quiet yourself, your mind, and push that pause button for the next minute.

Take a deep breath in and then exhale as we start this one minute journey together.

Throughout your day, try and have micro-escapes of 1 minute increments where you pause, quiet yourself, and listen for God’s direction.

Next Steps:
1) TALK TO GOD – press that PAUSE button and have a conversation

2) BE INTENTIONAL – prioritizing rest doesn’t happen by accident – schedule time throughout your day

3) PRACTICE SABBATH REST – intentional setting aside once a week to rest will become part of your weekly rhythm