The Focus

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It’s June! School is out and summer vacations have begun! I’ve recently heard several folks talking about their summer vacation plans … going to the beach, boarding a cruise ship to the Caribbean, taking the family to Disney World, camping in the mountains, visiting Colonial Williamsburg, flying to Cancun, Mexico … it all sounds like so much fun!

Vacation – – a time to stop, to rest, to refresh, to get refueled!

You know, it’s easy to get so busy with our jobs, our church, our families, our friends, our relatives, etc. … feeling so burdened by the numerous needs and demands around us – – that we forget one of the seven things God initiated on earth. After spending six days creating the world – – He RESTED on the seventh day and declared that we should too.

In the busyness of our lives … and yes, even on a fun-filled vacation … we need periods of rest and reflection.

So, where can you find this place of rest?

At the beach with the waves crashing at your feet?

In the mountains with the cool, crisp air?

At Disney World with all of its magical excitement?

On a cruise ship in the clear waters of the Caribbean?

Well, in the New Testament book of Matthew 11:28 Jesus gives us a clue … “Come to ME, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

In this passage from Matthew, the word ‘rest’ comes from the Greek word ‘anapauo’ – – which means, ‘calm, comfort and refreshment.’

Ahhhhhhh … now doesn’t that sound wonderful right now?

If your life is fast-paced and in constant turmoil … what a blessing to have access to rest! For followers of Jesus Christ – calm, comfort and refreshment (a place to rest) is always only a prayer away!

Praying keeps us CALM … like the stillness in the eye of a storm.

Praying COMFORTS us … reminding us of God’s goodness and His availability to us.

Praying REFRESHES us … give us renewed energy and strength.

Let’s hang on to these familiar words from the Old Testament book of Isaiah … “Those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31 – NLT)

Thank You, Jesus! Thank You for the calmness, comfort and refreshment You offer!

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