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Reflection on Service: Service as rest or rest as service?


Still on my journey of reflection around the topic of service.  When is service freely given or compulsive?  

What is the compelling force for me to serve?

Thinking about rest.  Many church activities are done for the summer and work is slowing.  My garden is mostly planted and I don't want to start on my house!  

What does God say about rest?

Is rest simply being lazy?  Are there types of rest?  What is rest?  Finally, what in the world does rest have to do with service?

 …"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."  
Mathew 11:29-30

Trading our burden of guilt and shame for the His authority and peace is the gift of salvation!   Taking off the heavy yoke of strings, expectations and rules of others and taking Jesus's gift and His yoke.

Matthew Henry in his commentary states, "All who thus come will receive rest as Christ's gift, and obtain peace and comfort in their hearts. But in coming to him they must take his yoke, and submit to his authority. They must learn of him all things, as to their comfort and obedience. He accepts the willing servant, however imperfect the services. Here we may find rest for our souls, and here only. Nor need we fear his yoke. His commandments are holy, just, and good. It requires self-denial, and exposes to difficulties, but this is abundantly repaid, even in this world, by inward peace and joy. It is a yoke that is lined with love. So powerful are the assistances he gives us, so suitable the encouragements, and so strong the consolations to be found in the way of duty, that we may truly say, it is a yoke of pleasantness. The way of duty is the way of rest. The truths Christ teaches are such as we may venture our souls upon. Such is the Redeemer's mercy; and why should the labouring and burdened sinner seek for rest from any other quarter? Let us come to him daily, for deliverance from wrath and guilt, from sin and Satan, from all our cares, fears, and sorrows. But forced obedience, far from being easy and light, is a heavy burden. In vain do we draw near to Jesus with our lips, while the heart is far from him. Then come to Jesus to find rest for your souls."

"The way of duty is the way of rest."  This stopped me in my tracks.

How easy it is to pick up the burdens and yokes of my own making.  

Before I know it I'm bowed beneath the weight and trudging. 

 And I'm angry and feel trapped.

"Let us come to him daily, for deliverance from wrath and guilt, from sin and Satan, from all our cares, fears, and sorrows."

Releasing to God.  Submitting to Him.  Walking, talking and being with Him.   

"This is the way," I imagine Him saying.  "Let's go here or stay here."

Service is self-denial and walking with Jesus.

 How INDESCRIBABLY restful is that?!!!!! 



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