I’m so tired…

With Christmas season soon arriving, I can imagine that many of our calendars, wallets and relationships are feeling the strain that celebrations can often generate. Pondering this invitation from Jesus, what might you consider discovering about rest in this typically fuller season of life?

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

 In a culture that is dominated by productivity, have we lost sight of what rest truly means? At the outset of creation, Almighty God who never slumbers, never tires, never grows weary or suffers from the absence of anything chooses to rest. He spends 85% of his time working and 15% of his time resting…and when He rested, He enjoyed what He had created. I wonder what the holiday season could look like if we chose to embrace this invitation to rest. What I have seen and discovered over the years of being alive amongst the Christmas season is that we seek to do more, be more, experience more and maximize whatever is possible. Here’s my holiday invitation and challenge to you and me - let’s take Jesus up on His offer and learn to embrace “unforced rhythms of grace.” Let’s choose to be present in every moment this holiday season offers instead of being entirely preoccupied with what quality presents we offer to or receive from others. Let’s show up for the things that really matter - and let go of the things that don’t. The perfect memory, the perfect gift, the perfect moment simply doesn’t exist. There is only the invitation to come and be with Christ - taking His yoke instead of ours and experience the soul nourishment that we actually crave. Say no this holiday season to lesser things, so you have margin to say yes to Jesus.