Finding True Rest: A Soul Rest in Jesus
Lately, as I’ve been serving as a missionary here in Zambia, I’ve been wrestling with the concept of rest. Life on the mission field can be incredibly fulfilling, but it’s also filled with long days, heavy burdens, and moments of deep exhaustion—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. There are always more people to serve, more needs to meet, and more tasks to accomplish. In these overwhelming moments, I’ve found myself asking: Where can I find true rest?
It was in the stillness of the early morning that these words of Jesus pierced through my weariness:
“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” — Matthew 11:28-29
Jesus doesn’t just invite us to physical rest; He offers something deeper, something eternal—soul rest.
This kind of rest isn’t about finding time to sleep a little longer or sit still for a moment. It’s a rest that reaches to the deepest part of who we are—a rest rooted in something unshakable. Jesus offers us a rest that comes when we trust Him completely, when we lay down our striving and fears and allow Him to carry our burdens.
Here in Zambia, I’ve been reminded time and again that true rest can only be found in Jesus. It’s not enough to say I trust Him; I need to live as though I trust Him. When I feel overwhelmed—by the work, by expectations, by the weight of loving and serving people—I have to come back to this truth:
I am held, safe and secure, in the arms of my Heavenly Father.
When we fully declare that Jesus is Lord of our lives—not just with our words but with our actions—we begin to experience the soul rest He promises. It’s a rest that:
Loosens the grip of fear.
Recedes our anxieties.
Melts away stress and striving.
Worry cannot consume me when I trust that Jesus is faithful and completely trustworthy. It’s in this rest that I find peace—knowing that even when the work feels heavy, He is my strength.
As I was reading Scripture this week, I came across the Hebrew word moed. It means a sacred or appointed time and place, where God’s divine plan intersects with life on earth. This word is used for things like the Sabbath, feast days, and even tent meetings with God. At first, I was confused by how one word could carry so many meanings, but then I realized its deeper truth:
Rest is relational.
Rest isn’t just a commandment; it’s God’s invitation to meet with Him, to experience His restorative presence, and to know Him as the Author of Rest.
In Genesis, God set the example for us by resting on the seventh day. He didn’t need rest, but He knew we would. He made the Sabbath holy and blessed, a day set apart for us to rest in Him as He rests in us. What an incredible gift!
Here in Zambia, life is simpler but not always easier. The work can be relentless, and the needs feel endless. Yet in this place, the Lord has been teaching me to honor appointed rest—to slow down, meet with Him, and allow Him to refresh my soul.
There are mornings when I wake before the sun rises, finding Him in the stillness and silence.
There are moments during the day where I pause, sit under a tree, and simply reflect on His faithfulness.
There are evenings when I look up at the vast Zambian sky, reminded of His power and presence over all creation.
In these moments, I’ve learned that rest isn’t just something to check off a list—it’s a position of trust. It’s saying, “Lord, You are in control. You are enough. I don’t need to carry what was never mine to carry.”
The Sabbath, this appointed time of relational rest, is not just a gift God gives to us—it’s also a gift we give back to Him. By resting in Him, we honor His sovereignty. We declare with our lives that He is worthy of our trust and worship.
God placed specific occurrences for rest throughout Scripture because He knew how much we needed it. When we honor His rest, we step into the restorative blessedness that He desires for us.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10
Through this journey, I’m learning that rest is more than taking a break—it’s an invitation to trust. When we come to Jesus with our weariness and burdens, we are laying them down at His feet. We are choosing to trust that He is faithful, He is good, and He is in control.
And I’ve realized that:
Rest is not earned; it is received.
Rest is not weakness; it is worship.
Rest is not a pause in the work; it’s a refueling for the work ahead.
Wherever you are—whether you’re serving in a mission field, studying in school, or navigating the challenges of daily life—I encourage you to take a step back. Rest. Meet with Jesus. Let Him refresh your weary soul.
Set aside time: Find moments in your day to intentionally meet with the Lord.
Lay down your burdens: Give your stress, fear, and striving to Him.
Trust His promises: Rest in the truth that He is faithful, and He will carry you.
“Lord, I am weary. I need the rest that only You can give. Teach me to trust You, to lay down my burdens, and to find true rest in Your presence. Help me to honor the Sabbath and to see rest as Your invitation to draw closer to You. Thank You for holding me and refreshing me when I need it most. I trust that You are in control. Amen.”
True rest is found in Jesus. He offers us a peace and restoration that no amount of striving or worldly success can give. Let’s honor His invitation to rest—trusting Him with our lives, our work, and our weary souls.
