Strong spirits: rest

You will never be strong in your spirit, mind, or body until you learn how to balance exercise with rest.

Without rest, our efforts just wear us out. Life itself is poised to wear us out unless we learn the benefit of rest.

Jesus invites us to his rest when he says, "Cone to me all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) He know we cannot go long in our efforts without a time of being still. That alone will help, but even better is he offers us himself, his rest.

Hear the invitation of Jesus. In the middle of all your striving and activity, accept his kind offer of deep, and healing rest. I need it. You need it. He offers it.

Have a great week! Get some rest...

Besides serving as pastor at Caledonia Congregational Church, Gary Schwerin is the Spiritual Development Minister for the YMCA of the Rock River Valley and Executive Director of Bridge Ministries of Rockford. Prior to launching Bridge Ministries, Gary spent many years in leadership with Young Life. His columns appear here every Sunday - to see them all, subscribe to our daily email.

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