AT EASE

• Struggling with a big discussion?
• Frozen with fear?
• Discouraged?
• Anxious?
• Feeling uselessness?
• Business struggles, health issues, family pressures, difficulties with co-workers or team member?

…the list goes on and on.

Whatever the cause of our weariness and burdens, Jesus says, Come to me.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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

Note He promises rest not just once, but twice. When studying His words, you see His wonderful intention is for our burdens to be transferred from us to Him. He wants to carry the load. He desires for “our load” be become “His load”.  He wants to live in and through us and in so doing He invites us to give Him our problems, worries, fear, discouragements.

One of the toughest burdens that Moses faced was when his brother, Aaron, created the golden calf. The people of Israel worshipped it and Moses was overwhelmed with grief and sorrow. In fact, he threatened to ‘give up’ and abandon his leadership of the children of Israel. God saw the plight of Moses and responded with these words, My presence will go with you and I will give you rest (Exodus 33:14). The Hebrew word translated “rest” has a very specific meaning.  It literally means that God would give Moses rest at the very core of Moses’ being. It further means that no matter what was going on around Moses, God would give him rest on the inside. God’s rest would give him a sense of well-being. Moses would have an inner peace that can only be explained as a gift of rest from God.  What a tremendous gift!  What a wonderful promise!

Isaiah wrote these words, God never grows tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:28-31

Today, accept God’s gift of rest in the very core of your being. Enjoy it.

PATRICK LAI and his family have worked in SE Asia for over 37 years. His experience in doing business with Jesus has brought him to understand the meaning of work and worship in the marketplace. He started 14 businesses in four countries, six of which are still operating. Patrick and his wife, May, mentor and coach businesspeople working where there are few or no Christians. Check out Patrick’s latest book, Workship, now available in paperback and e-book.