Monday, September 3rd is Labor Day. This is a day set aside to pay tribute to working men and women. “Labor Day differs in every essential way from the other holidays of the year in any country,” said Samuel Gompers. “All other holidays are in a more or less degree connected with conflicts and battles. Labor Day… is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race, or nation.” For most people, Labor Day means a day off, a day to honor them for their work and toil, but also to give them a day of rest. Someone said, “come apart and rest awhile or you will come apart.” Physical rest is healthy. The body needs rest to “recharge.” A good night’s sleep, an afternoon nap, coffee break, lunch hour, vacation, sabbatical, etc. are all designed to restore our strength. But what about our emotional and spiritual rest and strength?
Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-29 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” COME, TAKE, LEARN… AND YE SHALL FIND REST UNTO YOUR SOULS. The first step to spiritual rest is “come”. In Luke 15 the Prodigal came, in Luke 18 the Publican came, in Acts 9 Saul came, in Acts 16 the Jailer came. They were all rewarded with peace and forgiveness. They all came and received something. That second step was “take”. In John 4:14 Jesus said to a woman “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” Jesus is the “Water of life”. He said in another text, “… and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37. We are told in the Bible that the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23). When we receive Jesus as our Savior we receive eternal life. To profit from or take possession of a gift, you must first receive it. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” John 1:12. The third step is learn. After the Apostle Paul had come to Christ and received His salvation and forgiveness, he learned His word and His way. “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” 1 Peter 2:2. Come to Christ, receive His salvation and learn His Word. This is the way to spiritual rest.
Our church would love to have a part in helping you find “rest unto your souls.” We invite you to come, to receive and to learn with us.