We hope by now you have received your 30-Day Devotional Guide created by your Flourish Committee. If you haven't, we may not have a correct address for you. You can find a printable pdf version of the Devotional on our website www.theflourishconference.org or at www.cggcwomen.org. Over the next several months, we will be posting each devotional on our blog as well, helping us to celebrate this milestone throughout the year. Today's blog post commemorates the twenty-second year of the March Retreat.
#22 2013 Speakers: Keri Wyatt Kent; Char Binkley
Musicians: Rebecca Dezurik & Team
Rest, Renew, Revitalize
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.
~Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message) ~
Rest has been part of God’s design from the very beginning. During creation, God worked each day and rested each night. Then on the seventh day, he fully rested. He set apart the Sabbath for holy rest. Jesus also took time away from the crowds for rest.
I have heard it said that the fourth commandment, “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy” (Exodus 20:8), is the only commandment we brag about breaking. We wear “busy” like a badge of honor. The COVID-19 pandemic may have forced some of us to not be busy because our calendars were cleared for us. Did we know what to do with all the extra time? Did we decide to rest? On purpose rest? Real rest?
When this Scripture promises us if we come to Jesus and get away with him, we will recover our life, I think it means that we won’t be encumbered by burdens that we aren’t meant to carry. Instead, we will carry only the yoke of work God has ordained for us to accomplish. Jesus offers himself as the anecdote to weariness. Believing He can handle all of our problems, stresses, and concerns brings us true rest. And learning how to carry the right things- what we are created for, not the things that are ill-fitting on us- brings us a free and light life.
Get away. Be quiet. Enjoy God’s creation. Study God’s word. Take a nap. Grasp what the unforced rhythms of grace look like in your life. Lay down the burdens you aren’t meant to carry. Be intentional in keeping company with Jesus. And live free.
Author: Amy Wilt