As I read Hebrews this weekend, the Spirit reminded me: rest is a gift, and is the only way to truly follow through with surrender and repentance. When we pause, come to Him with confidence, and leave our burdens at the altar, we walk in the light, carrying Christ on us. His yoke is enough, and trusting Him with our weaknesses is the only way we can move forward. (Hebrews 4:16; Matthew 11:28–30)
I have held on to shame, guilt, or troubles thinking that it honors God, like if I let go, I somehow don’t care enough. That’s a lie from the enemy. True devotion isn’t measured by how much we carry; it’s measured by how much we actually trust Him to carry it. And remember, He went to the cross with joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2), knowing the freedom and life it would bring to you. This is His heart, that He desires you to be free from the darkness that holds you back…the shame, guilt, and burdens that keeps you from walking fully in His purpose for your life. Jesus knows our weaknesses because He has been through them all.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet he did not sin. – Hebrews 4:15
This means our struggles don’t surprise Him. He fully understands you and our human weaknesses. He loves you so much that He says, “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and find rest in me” (Matthew 11:28). You are not carrying your burdens alone. He is with you, always.
This is what it truly means to respect and honor God: thanking Him and accepting what He accomplished on the cross. When you accept His grace and rest in Him, the light of Christ will shine through you. Only then can the world see His joy and peace that lives in you. Trusting Jesus fully is obedience. Disobedience is trying to carry what God never intended for you to carry. When we rest in Him, our lives begin to show the fruit of being truly free in Christ.
He put His perfect Spirit within you, so that you have the ability to work at walking in holiness, not by striving in your own strength, but by trusting in all of who He is.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Help us rest in Your grace today, to trust and focus on Your strength, and to let Your joy fill our hearts. Lord, may Your rest be felt in us right now. Father, I pray that we will enter Your perfect rest and step forward in confidence, knowing that You have victory over our lives. Give us the strength, Lord, to fully move forward, so that when we are seen by the world, they will see You in us.
In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
