REST. It’s that time of year, and we all need it.

Things are changing. Seasons are ending. People are leaving and moving and starting new chapters. Classes are finishing up. Boxes are being packed. Uhauls are being stuffed. Everyone is exhausted physically, mentally, and emotionally.

I think it’s safe to say we are all in desperate need of rest.

I don’t mean rest like the watching Netflix for hours and avoiding all responsibility kind. Or like the hanging out with friends and not actually resting but at least I’m not doing work kind. I don’t even mean the sleep kind, although that one is super important too.

I mean rest like real rest. Deep heart and soul rest. The type of rest that only comes from abiding in Jesus.

The Bible tells us over and over that Jesus is our peace and our comfort. And let me tell you, peace and comfort are not easy to come by. Especially in this frantic and busy season of life.

Sometimes it feels like my responsibilities are piled so high I will never accomplish them all. Or worse, that huge mountain of responsibilities will crash over me and I will be crushed altogether.

Jesus doesn’t want us to live this way. Feeling overwhelmed and swallowed up by our responsibilities or living in fear of change. He wants us to hand that stress and worry over to Him, and He will replace it with peace and comfort and rest.

I had the opportunity recently to take a break from all the craziness of life and spend a day in sweet solitude with the Lord. Just Him and me and a Bible and a notebook. I sat for a whole day in the midst of His beautiful creation and just let myself be filled with His words and His love for me. I let myself receive the peace and the comfort He is always offering, and yet I so rarely let myself slow down and enjoy.

This is the kind of rest I needed. The kind of rest we all need. The kind Jesus intended for us. It is lasting and real. It goes beyond whatever our current exhaustion is and changes our hearts and minds. It is a rest we can always have if we let ourselves seek it out.

There were so many times when Jesus was on earth that He withdrew from the crowds and His friends to be alone with the Father. His life and His ministry centered around this quiet communion that rested, refueled, and gave Him direction.

If there’s anyone I want to model my life after, it is Jesus. Jesus didn’t seek His rest in Netflix and sleep but in time spent with the Father.

So let yourself take the time to rest during this crazy season of life. But actually rest, the real peace giving, life altering kind. You won’t regret it, and I promise you need it.