Restless

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you 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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Think

Have you ever flipped through old photos and stumbled upon a hairstyle or outfit that made you cringe and think, “What was I thinking?” We’re creatures of change, always evolving our style and preferences. But sometimes, our desire for change is perpetual restlessness, searching for something more, even when our lives are filled to the brim. This restlessness whispers questions into our days: Is this all there is? How do I break out of this tedious routine? Why am I not passionate about my life anymore?

Restlessness can be described as the inability to be content with where we are, constantly feeling bored or craving change. In those moments of unease, what we’re seeking is peace—freedom from anxiety, an escape from the relentless pursuit of a life that always seems just out of reach. This desire for peace is a deep longing to be still, not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. We want to feel at rest, no longer haunted by the fear that life’s best is passing us by.

At the heart of our restlessness might be a more profound fear—the fear that God doesn’t honestly know what’s best for us. This fundamental distrust can lead us to constantly seek more, believing we can’t truly rest until we've secured everything we think we need. What if this constant striving is a symptom of a deeper issue, a fundamental lack of trust in God’s provision?

Think about the story of Adam and Eve. They had everything they could possibly want in the Garden of Eden, including the presence of God. Yet Eve was tempted by the serpent's insinuation that God was withholding something good from her. This led to the original sin, which has since infused us with a restless spirit, a relentless longing for more. But it doesn’t end there. Even in our brokenness and restlessness, God had a plan for redemption through Jesus Christ. This plan restores us to the peace we were created to enjoy, allowing us to rest in the assurance of what has been done for us rather than what we feel we must do for ourselves. By placing our hope in Jesus, we trade our restless feelings about our not-yets and not-enoughs for his already and all-satisfying.

Apply

Find rest. Take time today to speak to God and spend time in his presence. Unplug. Ask him to reveal himself to you, and he will.

Pray

God, I acknowledge the restlessness stirring within my heart. In a world that constantly pushes for more success, possessions, and experiences, I find myself caught in the whirlwind of never feeling enough. Lord, I ask for your divine peace to calm this inner turmoil and your wisdom to recognize what truly matters. Help me learn the art of stillness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.