“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.” Mathew 11:28-30

Rest is critical to our day to day lives. It allows our body to function properly and refuel so we have energy to take on each day. Just as rest is critical to our physical well-being, the invitation we receive from the Lord to rest in him is completely integral to our spiritual health as well.

When we rest after a workout, our body has time to recover, rejuvenate, and rebuild so we can grow stronger. When we participate in Holy Rest, in the same way, our faith is rejuvenated and grows deeper. It is difficult to find true rest in this world. We live in a culture that promotes constant hustling as the only way to fulfillment. If we are busy enough and fill our life with everything from social media, to the Internet, to music, to endless TO-DO lists, and constant noise, we will have everything we need! This mindset will only lead us farther from fulfillment and peace.

In a world that is so filled with noise and emotional clutter, it is critical now more than ever to find rest in Jesus Christ. Our souls crave the serenity and peace that can only be found in the Lord. From the very beginning, God set apart one whole day dedicated to rest. One whole day to “rest” in him, to offer up all the good and bad things from our week and to receive his grace and mercy so we can begin the week anew.

Psalms 62:1 says “only in God will my soul be at rest, from him comes my salvation.”. God is love. He is The Way, The Truth, and The Light. When we rest in the Lord, we rest in Love. When we place our lives and our trust in the Lord, we will find rest and comfort in His eternal Grace. Let us try this month to find small ways to rest throughout our day. Whether it is taking a short break from work and going for a walk, visiting the adoration chapel, using the first few minutes of the day to wake up and talk with God, or simply sitting for a few minutes in silence. When we rest, we grow. This August, may we grow closer to God through Holy Rest.

God, help me to slow down and stop long enough to dwell with You. Help me to be in Your shelter and find rest in the shadow of Your wing. Where I am antsy and scattered, create a sense of peace and stillness. When I am overwhelmed and discouraged, provide encouragement and hope. Amen.