Happy weekend, friends! This week was a really full one filled with work, parties, new Christmas activities, and funny moments (like forgetting my wallet was in another purse the moment I had to pay at the register at Target), too.
This week I’ve been blessed by getting to write these daily devotionals for all of us, and I’m so thankful you’re joining in. I’m going to make the weekend posts short and sweet, because I know you are busy doing all the things. Today’s a huge challenge though, but let’s get it done! First up, our reading of the day.
Day 6 Reading
Who needs this today?
Let’s look at Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV): “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.”
Sometimes I read verses and have to read them at least ten times before they make sense. I read it, decipher it, and if I’m not fully comprehending it, I’ll read it in chunks. It’s exactly how I taught my students to decipher something they had a hard time reading and understanding.
It’s exactly what I did with this chapter. I read it in chunks, and the gist of it is this: REST. Rest in Jesus and His word.
Here’s The Message’s version of the same exact lines: “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.”
See? Starting to make more sense, right? And if you really want a wakeup call, read the verses in the beginning of the chapter. I appreciated The Message’s interpretation today. I’m linking it here.
How are we going to take a rest with Jesus today? How are we going to be more like him and learn the unforced rhythms of grace? I don’t know about you, but oh, man, how I crave that.
All we have to do is live it out. Let it start today.
DAY 6 CHALLENGE
All right, you’re probably on your phone right now reading this. As soon as you’re done, put it down and don’t get back on it for at least 12 hours. I’m not saying to avoid phone calls or texts, but I am saying to stay away from the all-consuming urge to scroll, scroll, and scroll some more. Go live. Go rest. Go be like Jesus and LOVE on your people.
Be blessed, friends! Have a beautiful day.
Xoxo,
Kristy
