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Friday, September 25, 2026 | Brenda Bishop

Matthew 11

Striving, hoping, thinking, or doing just never seemed to be enough to truly satisfy my longings. In our fast-paced, microwave society, I wanted results to be fast and require little effort. I had spent my entire life striving to find true peace, but I continually ended up stuck in the same old patterns. I muddled through each day, trying to find something new that would help. Maybe if I could just stay focused on reading the Bible or praying more, things would change. If I did more for God, was it possible that He would bless me by giving me the things I desired? I had relied on my own abilities and thoughts for far too long. My life was a mess, and I needed a change.

Reading Matthew 11 reminded me of that time in my life, a time when Jesus called to me, saying, “Come to me … and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

What did that mean? I was trying to come to Him by doing more. That wasn’t working. I wanted His rest. What needed to change? Was part of the problem what I believed to be true about Jesus? Was He simply my Savior from an eternity in Hell? Was it possible that He wanted to offer me more? I certainly hoped so.

After years of striving, I have a new life in Christ (Galatians 2:20). He taught me that I was a slave to a false belief system where I believed I had the power to fix myself. I could never do enough to make myself more appealing or pleasing to God. He paid the price for my sin, giving me a life of freedom and peace. His desire is for me to take His yoke upon me, walking in step with Him as He bears the burdens I face. He teaches me the will of the Father, along with gentleness and humility. Abiding with Him brings rest to my soul (Matthew 11:29).

This life is not easy, but I love being connected to Jesus. His promises are always true. He is faithful, and He has revealed to me that true peace is found in Him. I don’t have to strive for what He has already given me. I don’t have to fix what only He can restore. I simply need to come to Him.

Maybe that is the invitation we all need to hear today: Come to Me. Stop striving. Stop carrying what was never meant to be carried alone. Take His yoke, walk with Him, and discover the rest your soul has been longing for. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Thank You, Jesus, for giving me a beautiful identity, a life of freedom, and the rest my soul could never find on its own.