Finding Rest

by Intern Pastor Meggie Bjertness

I don’t know about you, but I am exhausted.

COVID-19 closed much of our country four months ago and, since then, we have had our whole lives changed. We have stayed at home. We have juggled being teacher/parent/cook/housekeepers. We have purchased masks and followed guidelines. We have rebelled against those same masks and guidelines. We have tried to balance the needs of our selves, families, loved ones, jobs, and home in a world that keeps on changing…

It is enough to leave us all exhausted.

And then, we watched the killing of George Floyd and watched multiple protests—peaceful and not—surge across our country and in our own community. We have tried to understand conversations on race and police reform and wondered together: what does it look like to “Love all”…

We are exhausted.

And then, COVID cases continue to rise in much of the country. There is a tension about reopening between pursuing COVID safety or safeguarding economic security. Somehow, wearing masks and following guidelines has become a political issue. It makes us wonder:

• What is best practice for saving our health, keeping people alive, and maintaining our economy?
• How do we stay on top of changing guidelines?
• What will the school year bring?
• How do we respond to questions of injustice and racism?
• What will happen in our election?
• What will the future bring?

We are exhausted.

So, what does Christ say to all of these things? In the midst of chaos, unrest, and uncertainty, how do we listen to the voice of the Spirit and be attentive to what Jesus says?

In Matthew 7, we see Jesus teaching his disciples how to live as God’s people in the world. After three agonizingly long chapters of lofty expectations, we feel exhausted once again. It seems that Christ has an impossibly long list of guidelines which make us feel restricted, inadequate, and unworthy.

But perhaps that is the point. When we rely just on us, it is impossible to navigate all of these things perfectly, but anything is possible with God (Matt. 19:26).

At the end of chapter 7, Jesus tells one more story to help us on the journey. Jesus says that weathering all of these things depends on how you build your house. Those who build on sand, find that their houses fall down when rough weather hits. They do not have the resources to cope. They do not find hope, peace, or rest in the storm.

But the one who builds his house on the rock, even when the rain comes down, the floods come, and the winds blow, the house will stand. They will have the resources to cope. They will find hope, peace, and rest, even in the middle of the storm (Matt 7:24-27).

When we build our house on the rock, it is ok—natural even!—to feel exhausted in the middle of a storm. But we don’t have to worry. Jesus does not promise that each storm will end well, but Jesus does promise that the End will be well. So my friends, if all is not well, it isn’t the end. And when Christ is our rock, he promises we will reach the other side, house intact.

Perhaps this is why Christ says in Matt. 11:28, “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.”

There might be more trials coming. There will likely be more exhausting days. The end is not yet in sight. But remember first the Lord, who is the source of your strength and as close and firm as the foundation of your house. Whatever may come, we have courage to re-enter the conversation and pursue a better and holy future ruled by God’s love, joy, peace, and justice.

May you the peace of God guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus this week. Amen.

Intern Pastor Meggie Bjertness

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