Saturday, December 14, 2024

Read Matthew 11:25-30

In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:8

It was the end of my office hours on a Friday afternoon. I started to pack up my laptop and other things I would need to finish seminary assignments and last-minute changes for Sunday morning. After a week of residence at seminary followed by a week of catch-up, I was looking forward to relaxing on Saturday. Deep down, I knew I would not relax, but I would get into a slew of tasks.

However, a yearning halted my departure—a call to pray. Not to petition; nothing was wrong. Instead, it was a call to worship and adore a Holy God because he was worthy. So I walked into the nave and began to praise the Lord. It wasn't loud, but still and quiet. For around 15 minutes, I switched between reflecting on the Lord and praising him—a profound and powerful time in the presence of the Lord. There was one problem. I was extremely tired and began to nod off. I would nudge myself awake only to slumber again. After fighting sleep for a meager five minutes, I lost the battle and entered into the most restful sleep I have experienced in some time.

Twenty minutes later, I jolted from my sleep in shame. In my intellect, I recalled Jesus's rebuke to his disciples: "Could you not pray with me for one hour?" However, moments later, a still, small voice echoed in my soul, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest." My pride said I was strong and enduring, but in reality, I was tired, worn out, and crushed under my responsibilities and to-do list. The Lord knew what I truly needed: Rest—Sabbath. A rest that was beyond sleeping or inactivity, but a rest that was anchored in the one who calms the storms. How fitting it was that my soul found rest in the presence of the Lord. All I had to do was stop long enough to hear his beckon.

Collect:  Heavenly Father, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you: Look with compassion upon the heartfelt desires of your servants, and purify our disordered affections, that we may behold your eternal glory in the face of Christ Jesus; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen (Book of Common Prayer, p 606)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

How often do we ignore the call, “Come to me those who labor and are heavy laden”?

Adam Ridgeway

PRAYER FOCUS:  those overworked this Advent season