different forms of the same thing...

Sometimes it feels like we are just exchanging one thing for another. Take for example our current state of affairs. Most things are cancelled. Kids are out of school. Practices are off. Plays are on hold. The extra things that we have filled or lives with for years are not happening and yet...we've simply traded one form of exhaustion for another. We've traded in our physical exhaustion for an emotional exhaustion. You're emotionally exhausted because you now have to answer endless questions from your kids...all day long. You are emotionally exhausted because you are now responsible to homeschool on topics you forgot even existed. You find yourself emotionally exhausted because every news channel & social media feed is full of bad news. There seems to be no escape from exhaustion. We've been forced to hand in our physical exhaustion due to social distancing but we've picked up emotional exhaustion by choice.

In the book of Matthew 11:28-30 (NASB) Jesus says, “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.”

Jesus makes clear an offer for you and I as ones who are weary and burdened, physically or emotionally. He says, "Come to me". Usually when we read a passage like this our eyes quickly focus in on the parts that most benefit us. We quickly hone in on the parts that say we will find rest and the burden is light. What we tend to skip over though is the first part, our part, what must happen in order for us to find that rest and to receive that lighter burden. Jesus says, "COME TO ME." 

Allow me to encourage you to come to Jesus. Coming to Jesus is as simple as inviting Him into your day. It's as simple as spending a few minutes in prayer before the kids get up (if that's even possible) asking God to fill you with His presence. It's as simple as shutting off the news feeds and television and instead choosing to fill your mind with the things of God as you read His Word for a few minutes. It's choosing to meditate on the things of God and not the things of the world. Jesus longs for us to trade in our exhaustion for His rest and all we have to do is ask. Be encouraged and keep moving forward. 

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