Daily Devotional: Rest

Hey fabulous friends! Welcome back! Today, we're diving into the daily devotional, sharing a quick uplifting thought to brighten your day.  If you have a moment, read Matthew 11:1-10 and 28-30 in your preferred Bible translation before continuing here.

If you're pressed for time, focus on this passage and note what resonates with you:

“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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Life can be overwhelming. For LGBTQ+ Christians, navigating an often unjust world adds layers of complexity that straight, cisgender individuals might not face. Everyday activities can turn into significant hurdles:

Will a sermon include anti-queer rhetoric?

Can we legally marry?

Will we be permitted to adopt?

Will our healthcare choices for our partners be respected?

The uncertainty and discrimination we encounter can make us educators and advocates with doctors, pastors, family, and employers. This journey, though challenging, fosters a profound solidarity and inspiration.

John the Baptist and Jesus, living under Roman rule, knew all too well the weight of constant demands. Their message, "Prepare the way," underscores the importance of action in the gospel. But it’s crucial to remember that even with divine care, we are still human. An unending cycle of activity is not sustainable.

If interactions with family leave you exhausted, or if healthcare becomes a series of obstacles, or if you’re disheartened by comments from your pastor, remember this: God is calling you to rest.

Rest in the warmth of God's love. It's not about accepting mistreatment but acknowledging that you deserve peace. It's okay to:

Leave a church that doesn't support you.

Call in sick when needed.

Disconnect from stressful conversations and enjoy simple pleasures.

Spend more time with those who affirm you and less with those who don’t.

Sometimes, embracing the ease of God's yoke means stepping back from what’s dragging you down. Let things be simpler when possible.

In moments of unchangeable hardship, remember you’re not alone. There are others who have faced similar trials or who wish to support you. Just as rivers find their paths by flowing around obstacles, you can move forward gradually, finding ease in your journey.

This teaching invites us to keep moving but in ways that don’t make life more difficult than it needs to be. Jesus calls to those who are burdened—if this is you, remember that His yoke is meant to lighten your load, not add to it.

Reflection Questions:
In what ways have you made following God feel burdensome? How might you lighten that load?
Where do you feel stuck in your current situation?

Practical Exercises:

Take a nap or rest when needed.

Reach out to a friend for support.

Identify something you can stop doing to alleviate stress.

That concludes today’s devotional! I hope this message has brightened your day. If it resonated with you, please consider sharing this content. Thank you for joining us today—celebrate your uniqueness and stay positive. Until next time, take care!

Footnotes:

Source: Kearns, S., & Murphy, B. (2020). "Queers the Word" - (Adapted for reflection of Jesus and John the Baptist). Scripture: Matthew 11:1-10 and 28-30

Image Title: "Rest in Divine Embrace" Source: Midjourney’s image generation model.

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