Weariness: the state of being weary or tired; that lassitude or exhaustion of strength.

We all experience it, whether it’s having too much on our plate, confronting impossible problems or facing setbacks, disappointments or discouragements—feeling weary is nothing new. Yet it is in those moments that Jesus offers himself as the universal solution to all that burden us. He says: 

“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.”

Matthew 11:28-30

We are allowed to come to God personally, exchange yokes and find rest for our souls. “Come to me” is an invitation for all who are brokenhearted and burdened. We’re told to ‘COME’ just as we are; there are no limitations or restrictions. He will turn no one away. There is no need to stray off because Christ calls all of us to draw close to Him—He alone can lift the heavy yoke which weighs down our burdened heart. He alone can heal our pain, rescue us, and set us free from our weariness.

Verse 28 continues on to say “and I will give you rest”. Rest is a gift that we too easily tend to push aside. But life without rest is simply unsustainable; rest both refreshes our bodies and gives us the energy we need to honor God and to love others. It enables us to enjoy God’s presence and realign our priorities to His. And so this promise of rest that Jesus offers is a rest that He freely gives [as God’s gift of grace] to all who will come to Him for salvation.

So if you are weary, for whatever reason, however complex, Jesus invites you to come. Come, take His light yoke of believing in Him. Believe, abide, and follow Jesus’ example. And you will find rest for your soul.