Rest

The river near where we live is the color of iced tea – not because of pollution, because of tannins and a high iron content. As I looked out to the horizon, the water looked bluest blue. But when I looked to where it was inches deep, there was the tea color.

As I walked on, I noticed people are a lot like the appearance of the river. A woman in her walking dress with a husband equally well-clad. First glance says wealthy. A terribly overweight young man on a bench, dismissive thoughts. A four-year-old with her purse on her shoulder and sunglasses skipping along until she rounds the corner and eyes two strangers and scurries back to dad.

All these people are like the river in that when I just look at the surface, I cannot understand the real person. Just under the surface is a life that’s had ups and downs, struggles and rejections, innocence and joy.

What do others see when they look at you, at me? What would we tell them if they really wanted to know us? Not saying we need to ask mere strangers to bare their souls. We rarely do that with those closest to us. But it does remind me that there is One who already knows the below surface me and you. And still loves us.

God created us. His Word reminds us we are fearfully and wonderfully made. This is a mystery to us. We know real us too well. Yet we long to be truly known – and accepted with all the flaws and insecurities – and yes, some uglies too.

Turns out, it was the same for Jesus when He was on earth. “No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.” (Matthew 11:27b BSB) Those who looked at him often saw what He could do for them, or they ridiculed and judged Him, and some saw that deep desire of their soul could be found only in Him.

The next verse is well-loved by many “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 BSB) We cannot help but be weary and burdened in this life. “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.” (Matthew 11:29 BSB)

Ah, rest, soul rest. Perhaps on His mind when He spoke of rest was us coming to Him baring our soul. Finally acknowleging the love of a Savior who knows us so well and in whom we can be the real us. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:30 BSB) A yoke doesn’t sound easy; a burden doesn’t sound light. But He is not laying more on us. He’s giving us a way to navigate through the burdens we face, to be led by Him – He does the carrying. Thank You, Lord, for seeing us, loving us, guiding us, and being our rest.