Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest - Matthew 11:28

Are you exhausted?

A recent poll was taken of 2,500 people who were asked if they were exhausted. Forty-seven percent admitted they were.

It's highly likely we all are as this world is currently operating at a pace that's similar in mentality to the theme of New York ( The city that never sleeps). Common sense warns us that this pace is not healthy or sustainable long term without the assistance of caffeine, sugar, or other various stimulants followed by sleeping pills to bring us down if we haven't already crashed.

For a majority of people, there is no choice but to burn the candle at both ends to survive and make ends meet. But all hope is not lost as we can look to God who can provide everything we need regardless of the demands we face.

‭‭Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day, God ended his work which he had made, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made - Genesis 2:1-3

It's interesting to imagine that El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty) who is perfect and lacks nothing thought it was important to rest and made it known to us from the first book of the Bible. It's even more curious that his definition of rest is not focused on sleep.

My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep - ‭Psalms 121:2-4

That's not to say as humans we should not sleep because it's scientifically proven that proper sleep impacts our health, mental state, and overall well-being. But as in all things, God's ways go much deeper than surface levels of understanding and require some purposeful investigation to uncover needed revelation.

‭For
as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts - ‭Isaiah 55:9

Our second-best example to glean from is Jesus who throughout his three years of earthly ministry would consistently make time to be alone and pray.

Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed - Mark 1:35

Jesus knew that the key to rest was not just physical only but also spiritual and required prayer as a kind of tool to decompress and unload all the concerns and demands that if left unchecked can hinder our ability to properly function and thrive as God desires.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus - ‭Philippians 4:6-7

True rest is three-fold in mind, body, and spirit, and what better way to experience them than by following the time-tested formulation Jesus provided for us as described throughout the scriptures to assist us in overcoming unrest?

‭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 - Matthew 11:29

Will choose to rest in him?