Sabbath: An Invitation to Cease Striving

Hello you…heavy-laden one.

You know that tug-of-war you’ve been straining with? All of your spirit pulling, begging, striving in the dust of a well-worn path?

Today is an invitation to open your fingers’ maniacal grip.

Feel the heavy frayed and frazzled rope of it slide through your palms. Hear the short scramble, the backwards jolt, the weight of it falling backwards with a thud.

Then listen (Matthew 11:28):

“Come to Me weary and heavy-laden…

Come out-of-breath Sprinters and faltering Marathoners,

Overworked and Malnourished bread-givers,

Empty Lovers and Thirsty chalice-holders,

Come Passion Seekers and Perfection Strivers,

Burnt out and Cut straight down,

Hope-less and Fear-full,

Visionless reCreators and puffed up Kingdom-builders,

Come to Me and Rest.”

Sit right down here on the earth in front of Jesus.

Or feel free in exhaustion to prostrate right over, touch forehead to ground.

Then let it begin to rise, that longing, that fear that keeps you pulling at life hard. Listen until the chaos quiets and you hear the hoarse whisper…your heart’s deepest cry.

Name it. Speak it. Place it in His hands wide open.

And with a large intake of air He will fill your longing with pure breath of life. He’ll grant life and mercifully blow the chaff away.

Today, you are invited to rest, weary one.

Remember, it’s in His hands.

Then come Monday morning?

Ask Him how much of the battle He requires you to pick back up.

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Mt 11:29-30).