28"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29 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.30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." – Matthew 11:28-30 ESV
Life is exhausting.
Burnout, fatigue, and even emotional or spiritual disconnection — they’re real. But far too often, they’re also ignored. We live in a world that celebrates hustle and constant motion, where “rest” feels like weakness and taking a break is mistaken for falling behind. We're so busy pushing through that we forget the purpose behind it all. And sometimes, we're so worn down we can’t even enjoy the fruit of our work — let alone recover enough to do it well.
There’s an old story about two woodchoppers in a day-long competition. One worked nonstop, taking only a quick break for lunch. The other paused regularly throughout the day. At the end, the one who rested more had chopped far more wood. Surprised, the first man asked, “How could you beat me? I barely stopped, and every time I saw you, you were on a break.”
The winner simply said:
“But you didn’t notice… every time I took a break, I was sharpening my axe.”
What if we looked at rest the same way — not as laziness or wasted time, but as sacred space? As the moment where God sharpens us again? Where He restores our joy, realigns our focus, and strengthens what’s become dull from the grind?
Jesus says in Matthew 11:29, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me…” A yoke was a wooden harness placed on two animals so they could pull a heavy load together. Jesus offers us His yoke because He knows we're trying to carry everything on our own — working hard, striving to do good, but still feeling burnt out and burdened. He sees that. And He invites us to walk with Him.
When we pause to be with Him, we aren't falling behind — we're being sharpened. And when we’re yoked to Jesus, we don’t carry the weight alone. We move in step with the One who gives real rest.
So how can we actively apply rest to our restless lives?
1. Pause with purpose. - Make space in your day to intentionally stop — not just to scroll or disconnect, but to be still and acknowledge God's presence. A purposeful pause realigns your spirit with His.
2. Protect your margins. - Don't fill every minute. Build in breathing room — in your calendar, your thoughts, and your commitments. Rest needs room to exist.
3. Practice Sabbath rhythms. - Even if it’s not a full day, create regular moments in your week to step away from work and reconnect with God through worship, reflection, or simply doing something that brings peace.
4. Redefine productivity. - Remind yourself: Rest isn’t the opposite of progress — it’s part of it. Being still with God can sharpen your focus, renew your energy, and lead to deeper purpose.
5. Come to Jesus, daily. - Matthew 11:28 isn’t just a one-time invitation — it’s a lifestyle. Let your rest begin with Him. Bring your exhaustion, your striving, your stress — and let Him carry the weight.
Prayer:
Lord,
You see the weight I carry — the busyness, the pressure, the fatigue I don’t always admit.
In a world that never stops moving, teach me to be still.
Remind me that rest is not weakness, and stopping doesn’t mean I’m falling behind.
Help me to pause with purpose, to find peace in Your presence, and to trust that You are working even when I’m not.
Sharpen me when I sit with You.
Strengthen me when I slow down.
And help me find joy not in how much I do, but in how deeply I abide in You.
Jesus, I take Your yoke upon me now — walk with me, carry what I can’t, and lead me in rest that truly restores.
Amen.
