The Christian Working Woman - Traps We Can Fall Into – 3

Presented by Jenn Miller Is it possible to lead a full life and consistently rest? I think many women agree they need rest and long for it, but it seems elusive like an unattainable dream. There have been times when I have sacrificed to take time away for self-care only to come back more anxious and stressed by the time lost. Does rest come from a spa day or vacation? What is rest and how do we get it? Self-help books and podcasts tend to focus on physical and mental rest strategies that give our finite bodies time to slow down. These are good things, but there is a deeper, more satisfying rest we are made for which only comes through Jesus. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus gives a precious invitation. He says: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Are you weary? Jesus has a special word for you. He says, “Come to me.” The promise of rest is embedded in coming to him. I love how Augustine said, “Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee.”[1] But what does coming to Jesus for rest actually look like? It means prioritizing relationship—carving out time to spend with Jesus in his Word and prayer. But there is another important facet. Verse 29 says, “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.” A yoke is a frame fitted over an animal or person to direct their work. Let me just tell you, there are a lot of yokes in this world. I like to think I’m a free individual who makes my own decisions, but when I honestly consider it, I see a yoke of perfectionism, of seeking to please others and wanting to live up to others’ expectations, of needing to fix all the problems around me. What yoke are you under that guides how you live and work? Every yoke we wear is a harsh taskmaster—except one. Jesus invites us to unburden ourselves of every other yoke and instead take his, which he promises in verse 30 is easy and the burden is light. What yoke do you need to replace today? Come to Jesus and live under his authority and guidance for your life. May we find our true rest only in him. [1] Augustine, Confessions, trans. Henry Chadwick (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991), Book I, chap. 1.