THE LIGHT 98.5 Vanderhoof

Trillia Newbell and Dr. Danny Huerta discuss the value of our celebrating rac...

The clock blinked 1:55 a.m. Burdened by a late-night text conversation, sleep wasn’t coming. I unwound the mummy-like clutch of my tangled sheets and padded quietly to the couch. I googled what to do to fall asleep but instead found what not to do: Don’t take a nap or drink caffeine or work out late in the day. Check. Reading further on my tablet, I was advised not to use “screen time” late either. Oops. Texting hadn’t been a good idea. When it comes to resting well, there are lists of what not to do.

In the Old Testament, God handed down rules regarding what not to do on the Sabbath in order to embrace rest. In the New Testament, Jesus offered a new way. Rather than stressing regulations, Jesus called the disciples into relationship. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). In the preceding verse, Jesus pointed to His own ongoing relationship of oneness with His Father—the Father He’s revealed to us. The provision of ongoing help Jesus enjoyed from the Father is one we can experience as well.

While we’re wise to avoid certain pastimes that can interrupt our sleep, resting well in Christ has more to do with relationship than regulation. I clicked my reader off and laid my burdened heart down on the pillow of Jesus’ invitation: “Come . . .”

 

To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/110/29 3689 Keith Kaynor (Philosophy, Purposeless, Seeking) Keith’s father taught him right from wrong, but he never explained why things were right. This left Keith to find out for himself. He took psychology and philosophy classes in search of the meaning of life but came up empty-handed. Then he transferred to another college. He went outside the classroom and found the lesson he’d been searching for.a true understanding and belief in Good News of the Gospel.