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you’re invited

You’ve been invited. This invitation is not to a party but to a person. Jesus wants to open his heart to you, so he has said, “Come to me.” This invitation is addressed to all who are weary and carry heavy burdens. This invitation is for you. Jesus wants you to come to him so he can give you the gift of rest. He knows that what you need is real rest–not just for your body, but also for your soul. And only Jesus can give you soul rest. He wants you to rest from trying to be good enough and from doing too much. He wants you to fully rest in his finished work on the cross, his provision of salvation. This is rest that begins now and continues into eternity. Jesus knows that if we don’t rest in him, we’ll sacrifice the important for the urgent, the personal for the public. If we don’t rest in him, we’ll end up empty on the inside, moving through life in a fog of meaningless religious ritual.

So how do you RSVP to Christ’s invitation? He said, “Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you.” At first this may sound like just another burden. But the yoke of Jesus is the burden that makes all other burdens bearable. This yoke is what connects us to Jesus so that he can share our load. He wants to bear the weight of your burdens with his strong shoulders.

So when you find yourself searching for something to soothe the pain in your life, will you listen for the voice of Jesus whispering his invitation into your ear, “Come to me”? When you feel your frustration building and your strength fading, hear Jesus saying, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens.” When you find yourself weighed down by unrealistic expectations or unbearable emotions, Jesus says, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30, NIV).

Jesus stands with his arms outstretched saying, Come away from what is insignificant and empty so you can enter into what is eternal, essential, restful. Come to me. Let me love you. Who could resist such an invitation?
Nancy Guthrie, The One Year Book of HOPE

I was really encouraged by this. It was too good not to share. I hope it is an encouragement to you today too. I long for this kind of rest, don’t you? And Jesus is right there offering it to us. The burdens of life are wearisome. And so often I try to carry the load myself. Sometimes I don’t even think I realize I am trying to do it on my own. But I do…all the time. This week I am reminded that I need to go to Jesus. He makes my burdens bearable. In Him is where I will find true rest.

Happy Sunday!
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  • The Bonjour Family! - i loved this! thank you so much for sharing. It is true we so often try to carry our heavy burdens when all we have to do is give them to Jesus. love your precious blog! Happy Sunday!ReplyCancel

  • Micah - This is so good, Jess. Thanks for sharing. I hope it’s a good Lord’s day for you today.ReplyCancel

  • Nancy - What a perfect message to share! Thank you for reminding us that Jesus is the answer to all of our questions & He is our strength & hope. Have a wonderful Sunday!ReplyCancel

  • Dina - I needed this … thank you … 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Emily - This is exactly what I needed to read this morning. On the verge of tears, and it already lightened my heart. Thank you for sharing 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Erin - This is something that life circumstances have reminded me of quite a bit recently. Thanks for sharing.ReplyCancel

  • Todd and Courtney - Thank you for this. I’ve been carrying the heavy burden that our home won’t sell. Long story short, we live on a beautiful bluff on a mountain in TN. Husband is a pilot and we’re separated 5 days a week, have a sweet 20 month old girl. Need to move to Dallas TX to be together more. Only 2 house showings in 2 months 🙁 Giving it to Jesus….ReplyCancel

  • Chad and Jody - Funny how well this fits into my recent blog post. Thanks for sharing! Hoping to give God more burdens soon.ReplyCancel

  • Mrs. Lynch - I really needed this and I thank God that He spoke to my heart through yours.Bless you and your family.ReplyCancel

  • Carrie - You are an amazing person. I loved this post. This is most likely TMI, but that post hits home. I can relate and yet… not sure how to give over the burden.ReplyCancel

  • Toni :O) - Thank you so much for posting this…I truly needed it and loved reading it. I’ve been in a funk ever since I lost my job in May. The panic that sets in sometimes is really awful. I know He will provide for us and get us through, I just have to keep the faith and stay strong. However, some days, it’s just really, really hard. Thank you for always being so inspiring.ReplyCancel

  • k and c's mom - Thank you for this, sweet girl. Just thank you.ReplyCancel

  • lamerat - This is wonderful and I shared it with my friends from Bible study here in New Jersey. I love your blog and always keep you and your beautiful family in my prayers. Thanks again for a wonderful Sunday blessing. Lisa in NJReplyCancel

  • Stephanie - Thank you so much for that word! I needed that reminded! God Bless you and your beautiful family!!ReplyCancel

  • twinklyspangle - I find your posts so inspirational 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Ronda B. - AMEN, and AMEN!ReplyCancel

  • Kristi - Beautiful! Thank you for this post.ReplyCancel

  • Sara - I am hoping you can pray for another sweet baby girl…
    http://www.careforanabella.blogspot.com

    It would mean so much…
    Thanks!ReplyCancel

  • J. Henry - I just heard this verse on the radio over the weekend and was thinking about it on a drive out of town to visit a friend.

    Thank you so much for sharing this encouragement with us. 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Miss G - this is good. He is so powerful and loving. KellyReplyCancel