The world is screaming out for your attention isn’t it?  There are bills to be paid, kids to be shuttled, and bosses to be served.   You’ve got your family gatherings, car repairs, house repairs, school events, church events, you name it – it never seems to let up.

You might ask:

• “What about my dreams and pursuits?”
• “What about time for myself?”
• “What about my hobbies or recreation?”
• “What about time for some fun?”
• “What about time for a nap?”

Makes you want to scream sometimes . . . huh?

Do you hear it?

You know.  That still, small voice of Jesus saying: “Come to Me.”

Listen . . . He’s saying it to you right now.  “Come to Me . . . ”

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. ²⁹  Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰  For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”  Matt 11:28-30

God isn’t saying here that we are supposed to lie on a hammock until Jesus comes back.  He’s saying: “Come in close to Me – link up with me – I will help you in your journey.”

Now, don’t get mad at me when I say this.  I’m telling you the truth. (Actually, Jesus said it.)  If you’re under a heavy burden . . . it’s not God’s fault.  God didn’t give it to you.  Why, you might ask?

Because His yoke is easy and His burden is light!

I want to encourage you today to listen to His voice in the midst of all the noise out there.  You can do it in His strength.  (Yes, you can . . . don’t argue.)

Here’s how:

Before you start:

• Get in a place (really, a place – like your bedroom or your favorite chair or the back yard)
• Don’t do anything – just sit there with God for a bit
• Begin to thank Him for every single thing you can think of

Then:

• Ask God right now for strength to help you see your situation from His perspective.
• Ask Him to help you get closer to Him as you take steps to answer His call to “Come to Me.”
• Ask Him to help you hear His voice clearly through the “busyness” of life.
• Then . . . just listen . . . really . . . He will answer you

Then (and only then)

• get something to write on
• write down what He’s speaking to you
• make a list of the things that are pressuring you
• give them to God . . . seriously, let them go
• (not your husband or your kids – let go of the problems or the pressure)

Then,

• go back to thanking God for His goodness
• maybe read a few verses from your Bible
• maybe play some worship songs on your phone  or iPod . . .
• don’t hurry – just enjoy God for a few moments . . .

You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.  Ps 16:11

There . . . you did it!  You obeyed God when He said “Come to Me.”   (In those moments – our problems don’t seem quite so big – do they?)  Wasn’t that awesome?  Isn’t He awesome?

Actually, that’s what we call a “quiet time.”  We need to do that often.  Because we need Him now more than ever.

Well . . . your problems didn’t exactly go away, did they?  But they do seem less daunting now because Jesus gave us His perspective.  Maybe He even gave you a solution that you weren’t expecting.  You did get closer to Him and He gave you that wonderful peace in the middle of the storm.  Bonus !!

Love you Guys,  hang in there . . .

Steve 🙂