I’m joining Amy at Mom’s Toolbox over the next several months in blogging through the Gospels each day.

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“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

{Matthew 11.28-30}

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Rest.

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When is the last time you truly just rested? I mean a no distractions, brain chatter turned off, fully relaxed rest.

I can’t remember the last time I rested like that. Even when I get a few minutes to myself, I manage to find something to distract me (kids, computer, TV, books, etc.) or my brain chatter is so loud I can’t hear myself think!

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Jesus calls us to rest in Him.

When’s the last time you rested spiritually?

Have you been like the older brother in the parable of the prodigal son? Have you been trying to “earn” your favor with God?

This is a struggle for me. I have a constant “to-do” list that I try to check things off: Bible reading, prayer, ministry, etc. While this is not wrong, I fall prey to the trap to consider them to be stepping stones to earning favor with God.

We can’t earn God’s favor apart from the work of Christ on our behalf. We must forget all our “trying” and simply rest in His grace and forgiveness.

Jesus alone can carry the burden of our sin giving us peace and rest that only comes from Him.

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Thank You, Lord, for providing a source of spiritual rest in Jesus. May I regularly find myself resting in Him rather than trying to find rest on my own through my good works. If I had to earn Your favor, I’d fall desperately short every time. Thank You for bridging the gap and calling me into Your rest.

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What about you? Are you striving for rest? Or are you resting in Christ?

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