Draw Close

Jo works as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner in General Practice 

Matt 11:28 (NIVUK)

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest …..

Come on in! Come right in, don’t be shy. No one here judges you. You have taken a big step in recognising your need to draw close and come into Jesus' presence. Lay down those heavy bags you have been carrying. Be still - maybe even now take a few deep breaths in and out slowly to centre yourself. 

In the Old Testament when Elijah ran away from Jezebel he was probably at his lowest. He was exhausted physically, emotionally and spiritually; he took himself off to the wilderness and just wanted to die. But God knew exactly what he needed - rest, followed by food and drink. After this period of physical self-care, God speaks to him in the quiet stillness. 

The context of the verse above (Matt 11:28) is Jesus addressing the religious people weighed down by self-righteousness and legalistic law-keeping. People who find themselves unable to live up to expectations and weary of constantly trying and falling. 

This place of rest for you may be a need to rest physically, or it may be a time to draw near to him as he draws near to you (James 4:8). A time to come off the treadmill of constantly trying to achieve, please, live under self-imposed or others’ expectations. A time to fix your gaze on Jesus and to hear him say ‘You are my beloved child’ (Mark 1:10-11). God doesn’t say that to us because of our doing, our achievements, but because of who we are - his children. His desire is for us to love him with all our heart, all our mind and all soul. In this place of stillness and worship, we can find healing and restoration.

Prayer - Father God I come to you today weighed down by all the demands of life. Help me to draw close to you. Help me to set my burdens down at your feet. Thank you that in your presence I can be totally myself. I pray as I fix my eyes on you that you will heal and restore.