Let Your Soul Be Restored

Jordan McKinney

I don’t know if you have been like me, where life gets busy and it seems like all you want to do is just unplug. You don’t want to think about any responsibilities and you want to completely disengage for a while. I like to bury my face in a good book or play some games when I get overwhelmed or am starting to feel stressed and tired.

I was starting to feel that again this past week, for me it is kids summer camp season. I was wondering why I was still feeling overwhelmed even after what should be restful evenings where I was able to unplug for a while. Then the Spirit reminded me that I hadn’t spent any quality time with him. I had been running around at work and seeing family over the weekend that I could only grab a quick verse and prayer. I wasn’t resting and abiding with Jesus. So I put on some worship and went for a 30-minute walk this morning and let my soul be restored.

Here is what God was telling me this morning. First is that my rest and restoration of my soul can only be found by abiding with Him. It doesn’t matter how “unplugged” I can get at the end of the day. Jesus is there to restore and renew my strength. When I am not abiding and letting Jesus do the work in me, I am trying to carry and shoulder my own burdens. These two verses were the ones that came to mind:

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.”

Psalm 1: 1-3 “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever they do prospers.”

I know for me, the Lord speaks through his word and through quiet meditation. It is when I am taking that time to sit with him that he refreshes me. So what is it for you? Is it reading scripture? Singing worship songs? Going for a walk and praying? How can you abide with the Lord and let him restore and refresh you today?