As the U.S’s economy is being shaken in these unstable times, I want to ask you a serious question:
What are you feeding your soul?
Are you feeding off the anxiety and fear that drives our national news? Maybe your personal circumstances have left you emotionally drained or frightened. Maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed and uneasy.
Listen. You’ve got to know something in these times. Jesus Christ can provide peace, hope and rest for you like nobody else can. The inner peace and rest that He offers can carry you through any circumstance. It’s bigger than anything that comes your way, no matter how frightening or devastating. And Jesus longs to give it to you and I. But we’ve got to turn off the TV, put down the newspaper and lay aside any distraction that might keep us from Him. We’ve got to go to Jesus to get it!
In Mark 6:30-32, Jesus’ friends were exhausted and emotionally drained from the crowds of people. In the midst of their weariness, Jesus offered them an incredible and outrageous invitation. He said, “Come away with me to a quiet place and get some rest.”
Those words touch something deep in my heart. Through them, I get a glimpse of the compassion and longing in the heart of Christ to care for you and I. The question is will we let Him? Will we take the time to get away with Him?
Jesus knows that nothing can feed, nourish, refresh and restore our souls like His living, presence. He knows that we were made to spend quiet, intimate time with only Him—away from all the noise and distraction.
In Matthew 11:28, Jesus gives the same invitation. “Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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.”
The Message paraphrases that scripture and puts it this way:
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.
A Prayer
Jesus, I come to you. I confess that the pressures of daily life and the concerns for my own well being have kept me from you. I bring all my fears, worries, restlessness and distractions. In faith I offer these to you and ask that in exchange, you would feed my soul with your quiet strength and peace. You alone can cause my soul to rest. Help me to rest in you. Thank you for your gentle and loving care.
Posted by John Weisman
Traditionally Thanksgiving is a time of giving thanks and offering gratitude to God. Lately, however, I’ve been wondering if what we do every fourth Thursday of November is really thanks-giving or just going through the motions of tradition.




