Learn From Me

READ

In the closing verses of Matthew chapter 11, Jesus speaks to the surrounding crowd, extending a generous invitation. "Come to me," He says, and while Scripture doesn't say this, I can just imagine His loving eyes and His open, outstretched arms.

He was inviting listeners to lay down their burdens, let go of striving to be good enough or perfect enough to keep every detail of the law, and instead walk humbly in His grace. I imagine that His invitation filled the hearts of those listening and, if you're like me, it sweetly stirs your own heart for Him today.

Let's look at our verses from 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."

When Jesus says, "Come to me, all who are weary and burdened," it's as if He is calling each one of us by name. After all, aren't we all weary? Aren't we all burdened by the brokenness of life? And even on our best days, aren't we all still in desperate need of our Savior?

And as we lean in and say, "Yes, that's me," I love what Jesus promises. Rest—not just for the night or for a weekend, but rest as a way of life. Rest for our souls.

It's that unshakable peace that stems from knowing Christ and trusting Him. It's being fully surrendered to His will and His ways so that we are able to live freely, abundantly, joy-filled, and at rest. But we don't come to Jesus just once and that's it. We keep returning, we keep seeking, and, as Scripture speaks of today, we keep learning from Him.

REFLECT

I lay awake as howling winds and sideways rain beat against our house. It was 2016, and Hurricane Matthew had arrived in coastal North Carolina—unwanted and uninvited. After nearly ten days of watching the weather channel, we were now in the middle of this major storm. With the preparations complete and the needed supplies purchased, my family and I were "hunkered down," but I simply could not find rest.

At one point I got up to look out the window—not really sure what I was expecting to see. We had been without power for several hours, leaving our home and our entire street completely black. In the dark of night, it seemed as if everything familiar was gone, no longer visible or able to comfort. My lack of sleep, along with the burdensome reality that this storm had already flooded my mom's house in Florida, left me feeling helpless and afraid. Weary and burdened.

And this, as you know, is life. Sometimes it's a hurricane, and other times it's just a normal day that unexpectedly goes south. Or a day that, for whatever reason, just seems more empty than full. Sometimes it's just trying to walk the Christian walk without getting sidetracked or discouraged by the world we live in.

We're weary. We're burdened. And the reality is, we can stay this way, or we can come to the One who says that in Him and through Him we will always find rest.

As I read and reread Matthew 11:28-30, I am always struck by the fact that Jesus says the path to rest is to "learn from me." His words make me realize that I am called to be a devoted student of His goodness and His ways. With an open heart, I am able to see how He is working in the ordinary moments as well as in the times that feel like a hurricane. And as you and I live "in view of His mercy" (Romans 12:1) and walk in union with Him, we find the rhythm, peace, and rest that He intends for us. But it takes a heart that is willing to keep learning.

This past May, our daughter married a very kind-hearted young man, a guy we all love. We were watching their wedding video recently when I heard something. As the maid of honor's voice narrated over all the special moments from the day, she described a conversation she once had with our now son-in-law. She said she told him that she really didn't know what it looked like for a guy to love as Christ loved the church until she watched him loving and caring for our daughter. His humble and honest response was one that I can't seem to forget. He graciously told her, "I'm still learning."

As we follow Christ, the same is true for us as well. We are all still learning. We are in the transformation process, and while it's not perfectly lived out, it is perfectly redeemed by our loving God. We are all still growing in our faith, and as we do, our souls are able to find rest in Him. After all, isn't that all that Jesus asks of us—that we come and learn from Him?

RESPOND

Take a moment to process what God might be leading you to do in light of what you just read.

• Christ reminds us in our verses today to "learn from Him." As you look back on this week, what has Jesus taught you? What have you learned from following Him?

• Sometimes looking back helps us see where and how we've been changed. Where have you seen God change or transform your heart?

• This week, listen to David Crowder's song Come as You Are. As you listen to the lyrics, thank God for His mercy. Know in your heart that while you "come as you are," you are being transformed by your loving Heavenly Father.

REST

Take a moment to rest in God's presence and consider one thing you can take away from your time reading, then close your devotional experience by praying:

Lord, thank You for Your invitation to come to You just as we are. Help us to keep a growth mindset and to continue to learn from You. Thank You for Your compassion and mercy for us. May we find rest for our souls as we walk through this life at Your pace and with You by our side. Amen.

Port City writer Holly Campbell wrote today’s devotional.