Friday Fight 253: Come to Me - The Invitation of True Rest

Every Friday morning, during my quiet time with the Lord, He faithfully places something on my heart that speaks to the subtle, internal battles many of us face. This is Friday Fight 253.

“How are you doing?”

“I’m tired.”

That response has become almost universal. Even after productive days or intentional downtime, exhaustion still lingers. We pause responsibilities, attempt to relax, and yet find ourselves no more restored than before. This persistent weariness reveals something deeper: the rest we long for cannot be achieved through physical pause alone.

Come to Me: The Invitation of True Rest

We were never created to carry life’s weight by ourselves. Jesus speaks directly into our fatigue in the Gospel of Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Notice what He offers. Not lighter schedules, fewer responsibilities, or quieter circumstances. He offers Himself. The rest Jesus promises flows from relationship, not relief from responsibility. That is why even in busy seasons, full calendars, and hectic family needs, we can experience peace. True rest is not found in escaping our lives; it is found in surrendering our burdens.

Many of us confuse relaxation with restoration. Our bodies may be still, but our hearts remain tense, holding onto the things God never asked us to hold. Without surrender, rest becomes shallow.

Jesus does not say, “Come to a vacation.”

He says, “Come to Me.”

This invitation requires trust. It requires releasing control and acknowledging that we are not the Savior of our circumstances. When we come to Him honestly, tired, burdened, stretched thin, He meets us not with pressure, but with peace. True rest is achieved through alignment with God, surrendering to His authority, and allowing Him to set our pace. It is trusting that He is working even when we are not. It is believing that His grace is sufficient for what today requires.

Distractions may temporarily numb our exhaustion, but they never truly satisfy it. Only Christ can restore our souls. Only His presence quiets the internal noise we cannot silence on our own. Through the Holy Spirit, our hearts are transformed, and we are reminded that we are seen, supported, and never alone.

As this week begins winding down, pause intentionally. Bring your burdens to Jesus, not just the visible responsibilities, but the internal pressures and silent worries. Lay them before Him.

Essential rest is not found in doing less; it is found in trusting more. When you come to Christ fully, you discover that the rest you have been searching for was never a place; it was always just Him.

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In His Grace,

Pastor Shannon

River Church

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