Happy May Day! The first of 3 bank holidays this month which give us time for partying, rest and relaxation. Of course, some of us may be even busier than usual! On this Mindfulness Monday let’s think about how we find “rest for our souls”.
Jesus said: “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.”
(Matt 11: 28 & 29)
Do you long for some rest, a little peace and quiet and some “me” time? We are encouraged throughout Scripture to take positive steps for our mental and physical well-being understanding as Christians that “My soul finds rest in God alone” (Ps 62: 1). We do well to follow Jesus’ example of taking ourselves off to a quiet place alone where we seek rest for our souls.
The rural illustration of the double yoke will be familiar to us as it illustrates how the older experienced ox, firmly linked to the inexperienced youngster, made the way easy to follow, the young one learning as they went along. These days we may think of this in terms of “discipling” each other. There’s another type of yoke that also relates well and that’s the small wooden yoke that milk maids and other workers used in the past to carry heavy loads across their shoulders. It distributes the weight and makes heavy things easier to carry.
In Jeremiah 6: 16 God offers rest to anyone who chooses to follow His way: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” Jesus gives the same invitation – choose to follow me and walk with me, there you will find rest. We will find a stress free zone where we can lay our burdens down and where striving ceases. It’s a learning place too where we are discipled by Jesus. His yoke becomes easy and his burden light when we remember that He takes the load and bears the burden Himself at the same time strengthening us for the next stage of our journey. All He really asks of us is to be willing to follow where he is leading.
We can come into God’s presence at any given moment, anywhere. We could be in a cathedral or Church, walking along a country footpath or on a city street surrounded by people. God can speak in any situation, through any means. Mindfulness is achieved when we focus our awareness on the present moment, while calmly accepting our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, sights and sounds surrounding us. Start where you are saying, “I am here now”. On this May Day let’s take hold of the opportunity for moments of mindfulness and allow our souls to find rest as only He can give.
Prayer
Dear Lord, please lead me to that peaceful place where I can draw close to you and find the healing, comfort, peace and restoration that I need. Wherever I find myself today please help me to find rest for my soul. Amen.
Ruth Leeming
Comentarios