Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11: 28

This morning I spoke with a man who is feeling completely overwhelmed. His wife is growing more distant with the effects of dementia. His long-term office manager is fighting against a recently diagnosed complicated cancers. He’s considering retirement, but what if his office manager can no longer help him? What would he do? His mind is scattered. His usual dapper appearance is a bit disheveled. He has nothing else to offer. He is in need of rest. And as a man who generally rejects faith in Christ, he has a much greater need.

I am reminded of the header engraved above the entrance of a mental health facility in Greater Cincinnati. While that building is gone now, it contained part of the verse above. Rest and refreshing that last comes from a single source.

So, outside of prayer and listening, I had little to offer the man this morning, but what more can we do than pray for others? And what about our own challenges that weight us down?

Jesus has invited us to give everything to him and He will give us rest, but still we hold on to our stuff. Our responsibilities. Our cares. Isn’t it time that we come and receive the rest, the time of refreshing (Acts 3:20) found only in the closeness of Christ?