31 Days {the place of rest}

When I started this series, I hope I made it clear that I'm not expecting to 'arrive'. I'm not expecting to step out onto the first of November and declare that my heart is quiet, and forever shall remain so. (I could hope for that, I suppose...) This fallen and busted world is not our destination. We are being fashioned for eternity, but arriving perfected? That's not for us.

I was reminded again this morning that I'm not trudging about in search of a place of rest. It's not that perfect chair by the window, bathed in early morning sunlight. It can't be, really, because on the morning you wake up to rain and a souvenir from the cat on that perfect chair, you realize that rest is not found in places or circumstances, but in the person of Jesus Christ.

“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.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
~ Matthew 11:28-30

Let me give you an example. My school commute once involved forty minutes crammed into a subway car. If I was on the car soon enough I could slip myself into a seat for the duration, close my eyes and pray. It wasn't an ideal prayer nook, jarred and jostled by fellow commuters, the noise and echo of station calls and conversation deafening at times. And yet, those were beautiful moments of prayer and thanksgiving.

Rest is a gift from a single source: Jesus.

In any circumstance or moment - be it the jarring bustle of a subway car or the stillness of the early morning - I need only turn to Him to find rest, renewal and restoration.

He is my Redeemer, my place of rest.

* * *

Thank you for joining me during these 31 Days to a Quiet Heart!
Missed a day? Find them all here:
Day 1 * Day 3 * Day 4

Question for you: do you have a similar story... an experience sweet rest in the midst of chaos?