“Are you tired? Worn out? … Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace ...” Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)

Early one morning, I woke up preoccupied. With a long to-do list and a stressful work deadline looming, I couldn’t figure out how I was going to get everything done. As I made coffee, I tried engineering my day like a game of Tetris — optimizing every minute.

My heart sank. There wasn’t much space to breathe. Looking outside at the sunny, blue skies, I saw beauty but didn’t feel it. Instead, I felt weary. Have you ever had a morning like that? The day is still young, but you already feel weighed down and tired, held captive by worry.

When I later returned to the coffeepot after getting dressed, can you imagine how bewildered I felt to find it full of clear water? I had put in the filter and filled the tank, but I was so preoccupied I forgot the most important thing: coffee grounds!

As I made another pot, scriptures surfaced in my heart:

“Are you tired? Worn out? … Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace …” (Matthew 11:28-30).

Jesus’ words felt like a comforting hand on my shoulder. The phrase “walk with me” in the Message paraphrase captured my attention. Jesus invites us to spend time with Him and rest from the burdens we carry. The metaphor of taking a walk, hand in hand, implies an intimate, one-on-one reconnecting of hearts away from distractions.

How do you enjoy spending time with Jesus in your faith-walk?

Here are three of my favorite ways you can borrow today:

1. Listen to a worship song. Songs give us a simple way to practice the presence of God, calling us back to Him. Music can bring calm and comfort — put on a favorite worship song, and let God whisper words of love to you.

2. Journal a prayer based on God’s Word. Just one loving word from God brings light into your day. As you slow down to read and reflect on Scripture, respond by journaling a prayer. Studies show 10 minutes of journaling can lower anxiety and improve mood.

3. Spend time outside reveling in God’s creation. When we hear birds sing, see trees bud, or take a walk in fresh air, we often feel refreshed with God’s loving presence. Studies show 10 minutes spent in nature can ease feelings of anxiety and sadness.

We can orchestrate the most optimized life and high-output schedule, but without time to rest, we don’t have peace or joy. We were created to walk in wellness with Jesus. So let's take the time to enjoy what helps reconnect our hearts to His.

Sometimes we can walk our morning blues away simply by spending time with our loving Savior — and any day is a good day to start. Jesus will take care of us every day.

Jesus, help me live out my faith-walk in wellness, renewed with Your peace, today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

If you find yourself growing weary in doing good works, wondering if your prayers are just hitting the ceiling, or sometimes questioning if living out your faith in Jesus is really worth it … our new study is for you … Am I Doing This Right? How To Live Out Your Faith Through the Wisdom Found in James. This study starts on April 8 in the free First 5 mobile app. Click here to order your digital study guide!

Feeling weary? Walk in wellness with Jesus and leave behind stress, worry and anxiety with this FREE Devotional Quick Guide. Click here to enjoy “Five Important Questions to Declutter Your Home and Heart” by soul care mentor and bestselling author Bonnie Gray. Find peace in daily challenges based on soul care, Scripture and science.

ENGAGE

Take Bonnie’s free “Soul Care Quiz” — your personal wellness assessment — to learn what type of care you’re missing most and how to flourish with God’s peace and joy in your life! You can also follow Bonnie on Instagram or Facebook.

FOR DEEPER STUDY

Philippians 1:6, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (NIV).

Isaiah 40:31, “but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (NIV).

What helps you to find wellness in your faith-walk with Jesus? Share with us in the comments!

© 2024 by Bonnie Gray. All rights reserved.