Rest Well

<p>The clock blinked 1:55 a.m. Burdened by a late-night text conversation, sleep wasn&rsquo;t coming. I unwound the mummy-like clutch of my tangled sheets and padded quietly to the couch. I googled what to do to fall asleep but instead found what not to do: Don&rsquo;t take a nap or drink caffeine or work out late in the day. Check. Reading further on my tablet, I was advised not to use &ldquo;screen time&rdquo; late either. <em>Oops.</em> Texting hadn&rsquo;t been a good idea. When it comes to resting well, there are lists of what <em>not</em> to do.</p> <p>In the Old Testament, God handed down rules regarding what not to do on the Sabbath in order to embrace rest. In the New Testament, Jesus offered a new way. Rather than stressing regulations, Jesus called the disciples into relationship. &ldquo;Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest&rdquo; (Matthew 11:28). In the preceding verse, Jesus pointed to His own ongoing relationship of oneness with His Father&mdash;the Father He&rsquo;s revealed to us. The provision of ongoing help Jesus enjoyed from the Father is one we can experience as well.</p> <p>While we&rsquo;re wise to avoid certain pastimes that can interrupt our sleep, resting well in Christ has more to do with relationship than regulation. I clicked my reader off and laid my burdened heart down on the pillow of Jesus&rsquo; invitation: &ldquo;Come . . .&rdquo;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>