Find Rest for Your Souls

Last week I asked you why you follow Christ. I also asked my congregation. Yesterday I shared a few of their responses. Here are a few more:

I always felt something was missing in my life. I never really felt at peace. God 
has filled that emptiness. He is the great comforter and the only comforter that 
truly can put me at peace. Life on earth is so difficult. 

I finally understood I couldn’t do life by myself….

What started out as wanting to make my Grams happy by seeing me at church, 
turned into me finding God! I had been to other churches over the years, but 
something felt different, a different tug on my heart and mind. I felt God calling 
me and showing me he is always with me.

Jesus gives me hope of being a better person, one who may make a small 
impact on a person or group…

I want to be more like him.

To fill a void in my life.

Thank you for leading me to forgive myself, helping me to be more kind. Help 
me now to be strong for others.

I can’t imagine getting through the day without God to turn to…

As for my relationship with Christ, I don’t have a past without him. He has been 
my savior and active partner for all my knowing life. Oh, the joy! 

In the book of Ezekiel (34:15-16), we read…

“I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strays, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak…”

In the book of Jeremiah (6:16), we get this imperative:

“Thus says the Lord:
 Stand at the crossroads and look,
     and ask for the ancient paths,
 where the good way lies; and walk in it,
     and find rest for your souls.” 

Let us pray just as we prayed yesterday: Compassionate Christ, we turn to you in our moments of darkness and despair, trusting that you are with us in moments of peace as well. We rest in your presence, asking for healing, mercy, and grace. We thank you, Lord for meeting us here and now. Amen.