My Grandfather’s Wisdom – Be Still

Some of my fondest memories growing up involve time spent with my grandparents. Sunday dinners, playing at their house and sleepovers. My grandmother was just the sweetest woman, and my grandfather, a local barber, knew pretty much everyone in the small town where we lived.

My grandfather, or “Pop” to my cousins and me, was kind and funny and always had little lectures about life for us kids – from how fast we ate (“slow down and chew your food 21 times”), to driving tips (“keep several car lengths between you and the car ahead of you”), to words of wisdom about faith.

As I grew from child to teen to young adult to today, I find myself recalling Pop’s words of wisdom more and more.

One of the conversations that stands out the most was how he often said that you need time each day to just be still…to slow down…to sit in the Lord’s presence. Regardless of what was happening in his life, he consistently made time to read the Bible and do his daily devotions, to pray and listen to God.

It was just how he lived his life. No fanfare, just a quiet, sustaining consistency and knowledge of the rest God provides every day when we seek Him.

The pressures of life can so often feel overwhelming, can’t they? And this is where our March promise – that God promises to give us rest – comes in. Here is our featured verse:

“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.’” (Matthew 11:28-29)

I recently read about God’s “sweet peace” and how His spirit is “deeply and gently within us.” What a beautiful picture. No matter what we’re facing, Jesus is there. He is constant and unwavering. Yet it takes intention on our part to “come” to Him.

As we look forward to Easter in less than two weeks, I’m reminded that Jesus gave His life, willingly, so we could have peace and live life to the fullest…not to live weary and feel like we’re just getting by. John 10:10 says that Jesus gave His life for us so we may have “a rich and satisfying life.”

I encourage you to take a few moments (I’m doing this too!) to ask yourself if you’re intentionally living life with the promise of rest that Jesus offers. It’s a daily renewal and reminder of what He did for us and what He offers. The rest that Jesus provides brings us closer to Him, reminds us of who He is, helps us live life to the fullest and replenishes us in whatever we’re facing.

There are many verses in the Bible that talk about rest in addition to Matthew 11:28-29. Here are two:

Psalm 23: 2-3 – “He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.”

Psalm 116:7 – “Let my soul be at rest again, for the Lord has been good to me.”

Jesus gave His life for you. I encourage you to take Pop’s words of wisdom to be still and sit in the Lord’s presence and remember what you mean to Him. And ask yourself – Are you living in the true rest that only a relationship with Jesus can provide?

“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.’” (Matthew 11:28-29)

Throughout 2024, every Monday morning by 7:00 AM, we will post a new video from Pastor Shane or an article written by a member of our staff that connects to that month’s featured promise. Learn more.