Busy Life. Lazy Heart.

Life gets busy. 

When my days feel extra full, I can't shut my brain off. It's hard for me to sleep. I can't allow myself to breathe until everything is done. My stomach is in constant knots of anxiety. I'll rest soon....Once all my ducks are in a row. Once all the boxes are checked. As soon as I've done enough to give my back a pat. 

The last thing my busy days feel like is lazy. There's no time for lazy! 

But is it possible to live a busy life with a lazy heart? 

What is Rest?

Jesus says: 

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

To me, rest means time to be lazy.  

Rest is calm. 

Rest is a hot bath with extra bubbles. 

Rest is a tub of Blue Bell. 

Rest is a a day of Netflix. 

Rest is relaxing on a beach. 

Rest is sleep.

Based on Matthew 11, I think Jesus and I have a different idea of what rest means. Because how can Jesus offer me some down time when the world keeps piling expectations on my back? 

Rest in the Busy  

Jesus invites us into a rest that doesn't require my circumstances to participate. When we take on Jesus' yoke, we work with him and walk in his ways. 

While life doesn't suddenly pause so we can take a nap, Jesus' yoke is way easier for us to carry than the worlds' yoke. The world is a harsh master. Jesus is full of grace and steadfast love and protection. 

Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10

Rest is ceasing all efforts of our own. 

Rest is trusting that our all-powerful God is in control of our lives.

Rest is knowing God.   

Rest from feeling guilty for failing. 

Rest from trying to impress people. 

Rest from finding success in my performance. 

Rest from trying to do everyone on my own. 

Rest from manipulating my world to go according to my plan. 

Rest from feeling "less than" if I don't check off all the boxes. 

And we have access to this kind of rest on the beach or in an office, at a spa or in the laundry room. 

We can find rest in the midst of our crazy agenda when we abide in Christ and find fulfillment in God's presence. 

Busy Can Sometimes Mean Lazy

So, if rest doesn't mean lazy and busy doesn't mean no rest....the opposite of true rest in Christ is not work or business but...laziness. 

In our business, we can choose to rest in Christ, filling up on His promises. Or, we can choose laziness, letting the yoke of this world drag us along leaving us tired and burnt-out. 

Laziness is striving after the wrong things. 

Laziness is using the world (Netflix, productivity, to-do lists, people-pleasing, and even busyness) as a distraction or an escape. 

Laziness is trusting that our way is better than Jesus' way. 

Laziness is taking on the yoke of this world. 

Laziness results in burn-out, disappointment, fear of people, stress, and anxiety. 

True life is found only in Christ. When we rest in him, work under his yoke, and learn from him, the weight of the world's expectations are lifted off our shoulders.