What did you do last Monday?  We rested.  While originally recognized by the Central Labor Union to give a holiday for workers in 1882, Labor Day has evolved into a day of rest for everyone.  It’s one of our favorite weekends of the year, as it traditionally marks the first full weekend of the college football season, a three day weekend on the lake and the last full-scale cookout of the summer.

We run too hard and too fast today, and I’m as guilty as anyone.  I let my phone, calendar, kids and family activities and work take priority over needed down time.  Our busy schedules leave us stressed and preoccupied.  We need more rest.

Rest allows us to recharge and focus on what’s important in our lives.  It doesn’t have to involve an extended vacation or even a deep sleep (although always welcome).  Rest might just involve some quiet time- away from the phone, work and family- to reflect on what’s truly important.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.  Matthew 11:28-30

The Bible asks us to rest.  “Come to me, all who labor and are heaven laden, and I will give you rest.”  God knows that we are tired and worried.  He knows that we have concerns.  He gives us a simple command in that passage.  Come to Him.

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.  Isaiah 40:28-31

Unlike us, God never tires.  He never grows weary of lifting us up.

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”  Psalm 46:10

We need to rest and be still…reading God’s word, meditating on its meaning for our life and bringing our concerns and celebrations before God in prayer.  In order to do this, we need times of quiet reflection.  Rest.

I hope that you can all find time to rest each day this week.

God bless.