Rest Is On My Mind

Rest is on my mind.

Summer break is almost here, and I can feel the shift coming—slower mornings, sandy toes, long afternoons by the pool and campfire evenings at our camper. I. Am. Ready.

My journal has been filled with verses on rest. Not just physical rest, but soul-deep rest. The kind of rest only God can provide.

God tells us to trust, cease striving, and find peace in His presence and promises—whether in battle (Exodus), chaos (Psalms), or weariness (Matthew).

These are the verses I've been reading on repeat:

Exodus 14:14 – “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

→ Be still externally—God will fight for you.

Psalm 46:10 – “Cease striving and know that I am God.” (NASB)

→ Be still internally—let go and know God is in control.

Matthew 11:28–30 –“Come to Me, all 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 comfortable, and My burden is light.” (NASB) → Be still spiritually—rest in Jesus’ care.

This is not idle rest—this is partnered rest. Jesus doesn’t say, “Collapse on the couch and I’ll take it from here.” He invites us into a yoke—a symbol of shared labor.

So, does a yoke actually have two oxen?

Yes. A traditional yoke joins two oxen side by side. They work together to pull a load in the same direction. The stronger or more experienced ox helps guide the other. The purpose of the yoke isn’t just to carry the load—it’s to teach, to direct, and to move forward in unity.

When Jesus says, “Take my yoke and learn from me,” He’s in the yoke with us. He’s not on the sidelines shouting orders—He’s beside us, matching our steps, helping carry the burden.

And here’s something interesting I heard—and fact-checked:

When two yoked oxen walk at different paces or pull in different directions, they don’t get anywhere.

They just go in circles.

Ouch. That visual stuck with me.

Because I know what it feels like to strive, to hustle, to outpace God—or to drag my feet when He’s moving. And guess what? I usually end up feeling stuck, dizzy, and frustrated.

But if I match His pace—if I walk in step with Jesus—there’s rest, even in the work. There’s peace, even in the pull.

This summer, I don’t just want to slow down. I want to yoke up. To partner with Jesus. To learn from Him. To cease striving.

Whether I’m sitting by the pool or juggling a busy summer schedule, I want rest for my soul—not just in stillness, but in step with Jesus.

So here’s my challenge—for me, and maybe for you too:

Where have you been striving on your own?

This week, choose one place to slow down and walk in step with Jesus.

Not just rest—but rest with Him. That’s where the peace is.