Come and Rest

By: Joanne Viola

Last week we were on vacation as a family.

Vacation.

The mere word suggests a time away from work. It’s getting away from the typical week to enjoy a time of rest and recreation.

“This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.”
(Jeremiah 6:16, NLT)

Rest – the elusive find.

Sometimes we think we know where to find rest and we can so miss the rest God has for us.

Jeremiah tells us in order to locate and obtain rest, we must return to the crossroads, the fork in the road – the very place where our souls became overwhelmed and rest slipped away. It is the very spot we will find the rest for which we are longing.

The crossroad is the place where we decide to follow God’s ways. More so, we make a commitment to Him and in so doing, find what we are looking for.

Hidden in this verse, we find four verbs which instruct us how to find rest: “Stand” – “Look” – “Ask” – “Walk”.

Jesus spoke similar words as well:

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29, NLT)

We pulled up to the house we would call home for the week. In the late afternoon when we arrived, as we were in the middle of unloading the car, a rainbow stretched across the expanse of the mountains and lake. We all ran out onto the dock to appreciate the fullness of its beauty.

And the words of Jesus once again breathed deeply into my soul …

“Come to Me,
and you will find rest for your souls.”