PAUSE The Rest of Your Life 8/25/24 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalms 23 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:27-30 The Rest of Your Life Reality Pressure to Succeed, Achieve, Perform Demands on Your Time Social Media, Internet. Streaming Platforms Loud, Nonstop, Texting, Facetime, Snapchat, Instagram Caffeine/Energy Drinks, Diet/Exercise, Up Late, Sleep Less BUSY! Biblical Truth Not Want - אֶחְסָֽר׃לֹ֣א (lo chaser) lack nothing; no need (absolute statement) Restores - נַפְשִׁי יְשׁוֺבֵב(shub) to turn back; specifically to restore, refresh, repair Labor/Weary - κοπιάω (kopiaó) to grow weary, toil until exhausted, tired physically and mentally Heavy Laden - φορτίζω (phortizó) to overload, cause someone to be weighted down (feeling the weight of the law and sin) Rest - ἀναπαύω (anapauó) to give rest, give intermission from labor, active to refresh Rest - ἀνάπαυσις (anapausis) inner rest (tranquility of the soul) The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Everyone has a Shepherd Everyone wants something or someone God promises he is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11-16) God takes care of all that you need (Matthew 6:25-34) Take my yoke upon you Everyone carries a Yoke How is what/who your serving working for you? Is your burden light? No man can serve to two masters (Matthew 6:24) One Yoke two oxen. A Yoke is meant for two - You and Jesus Jesus is gentle and humble Jesus doesn’t need anything Do you need REST? Do you desire RESTORATION? Are you ready to hit PAUSE so the ‘Rest of your Life’ can be at a different pace? Reflection and Discussion Have you felt lost? Wandering? Under attack? In a dark valley? Living life at a crazy pace? Burning out? Handling everything yourself? Who is your Shepherd? Whose yoke are you carrying? What does the concept of REST bring up for you? Can you even imagine taking time to PAUSE? When we discussed bricks that people carry, what came to mind for you? How has handling life your way been? Are you ready for some rest? A Pause? Read Psalm 23 and Matthew 11 each day this week asking yourself to trust the Good Shepherd and choosing to where His yoke. You’ll likely have to lay down some of what your carrying to walk this path. Are you ready, willing, then follow.