Reflection on Matt 11:28-29 God wants us to rest

Personal Reflection by Laura Robbins  Sunday August 6, 2026  6^th Sunday after Pentecost

Matthew 11: 28 – 29

Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Rest…..
But not just any rest…
Rest for our souls.

1. God wants us to rest

Since the very beginning God has designed us to require rest.

– And the design is very good (Gen 1:31)

Since the very beginning God has role modelled the importance of rest.

On the 7^th day God rested

He blessed the 7^th day and made it holy…because on it he rested (Gen 2: 2-3)

1. God wants us to rest – rest is holy

Rest is us saying we aren’t God.

Rest is acknowledging that that God is God.

1. God wants us to rest – rest is holy
   2. We rebel against rest

We glorify being busy.

Busy makes us feel important.

(not resting = gives us value)

We glorify “doing more”.

Now that I have this/have done this – I want/will do that.

(not resting = gives us achievements, accomplishments, accumulations)

We glorify noise.

We love being distracted/having our attention pulled. Viral AI prompt where users asked “How would you destroy a generation?”  Answer: Through constant distraction. Hijack their attention by flooding them with short, non-stop digital content so they lose the ability to focus.  This will slowly erode their focus, relationships and sense of purpose.

(not resting = gives us no time for contemplation/wrestle/quiet)

1. God wants us to rest – rest is holy
   2. We rebel against rest
   3. If we do want it – we often go looking for it in the wrong places

Rise of…

Wellness retreat/spa experiences

Outsourcing (cleaning, car washing, grocery shopping)

Expert advice: calendar management, seize the morning

(Note: these are all actions that we do – we are “achieving” rest)

1. God wants us to rest – rest is holy
   2. We rebel against rest
   3. If we do want it – we often go looking for it in the wrong places
   4. True rest is soul rest – and that only comes through surrendering our lives to Jesus

St Augustine said: “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,

leaning on the everlasting arms?

I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,

leaning on the everlasting arms.