Caught Up!

Life is busy… It seems as though if we stop for a moment, we will be swept away, never to regain what we may have lost the moment we stopped. I find that as a young pastor of a small church, being the only ministry person on staff, it is easy to get caught up in doing church “stuff”.

Oh, it’s all good stuff; sending out communications, creating discipleship booklets, counseling, sermon prep, and on and on and on… Yet, what so often happens is I/we can get so caught up in the “suff” that I/we neglect getting caught up in Jesus.

When I read Matt. 11:28 it is easy to relax and think, “Yeah, just give all to Jesus”. Yet, what proceeds that whole passage is the need for repentance. John came preaching repentance, and they did not receive his word; Jesus cries out for repentance, “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

Repentance precedes rest! So I have come the conclusion that before I can enter into His rest and operate in His peace I must get caught up in Him and that begins at repentance. It is at the door of repentance that I am ushered in to His grace and mercy, where I am forgiven and my burden is laid down and the yolk that I or the enemy has placed on me is removed and there is an exchange; an exchange that allows me to first and foremost, stand forgiven, reminded of my righteousness through Him. Then I take on Jesus’ yolk, I learn from Him; I find rest in His light burden and His easy yolk.

Are you weary and heavy laden? Are you looking for rest? Today, run to Jesus in repentance and get caught up in Him. He will give you rest and peace.