True Rest in the New Year
By Emilie Hendryx
By Emilie Hendryx
I have heard so many people say that 2013 was a difficult year
for them. I'd have to agree and think, as I look back, that I am glad to be
moving into a new year. As I look back, the thing I've chosen to focus on is
how I handle being busy.
I am one of those people who can't say no. Can you relate? A need
arises and I'm usually the one to say, "Yes, sign me up." Over this
last year, this 'yes-mentality' has gotten me into more sticky situations laced
with frustration than I'd like to recount. That, and my tendency to create
things to do when I could take a few hours to relax, have caused my life to
spiral into a hectic swirl of busyness and activity that hasn't always resulted
in the spiritual or relational growth that I'd hoped for.
The other night I was reading through Matthew and came across
these familiar verses:
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will
give you rest. 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.”
(Matthew 11:28-30 ESV)
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| Emilie Hendryx |
I've read this passage before--even studied it--but being on the
verge of a new year, these verses held a weight I hadn't anticipated. I have
been laboring and heavy laden with many things, ministry and work-related. I
have found myself burnt out and frustrated at times and desiring to escape from
it all. But the thing I started to realize as I read the passage again was that
I was trying to escape in the wrong way to the wrong thing.
The answer to my busy schedule and frustration isn't to get away
to a magical land that holds no responsibly or constraints on my time. It
actually has nothing to do with the situation I'm in, but rather everything to
do with my heart.
Jesus says to come to Him.
He doesn't say to winnow your schedule down so you have lots of
"me" time. He also doesn't say to focus on yourself to find the
happiness and rest you desire. Instead, He tells us to take action to find that
rest.
We must take on His yoke and
learn from Him.
I think too often we idealize an existence of nothing, thinking
"Oh, wouldn't it be great if I had nothing to do all of the time."
That's not what true rest is. True rest is found only in Christ and only
through accepting His burden, which He says is easy and light.
I challenge you in this new year to seek Him and nothing else.
You may not be meant to change situations, but He will help you change your
heart right where you are. Seek Him, and you will find true rest.
Emilie Hendryx
eahendryx.blogspot.com
MEET EMILIE
Emilie is a small town girl who moved to the big city. Now
living in Los Angeles, she is a writer, photographer/owner at E.A. Creative
Photography, and a musician. She is a member of the American
Christian Fiction Writers organization and loves to read and write Christian
fiction in addition to writing her blog Thinking Thoughts.
She believes in doing all things for God’s glory (1 Cor.
10:31) and her passion for Christ fuels everything she does. She also likes
spending time with the girls from the high school youth group she volunteers
with and, in her free time, you can find her curled up with a book and a cup of
coffee.
She says, "I don't have a book to promote, just my blog: eahendryx.blogspot.com
which is titled: Thinking Thoughts and is a great place for readers and authors.
I feature author interviews every Wednesday and do book reviews as well as posts
about writing and occasional practical, every-day theology posts."
Check it out and watch for her name on books.
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