Fair Haven of Rest

If one word seems to describes us all right now, it's "tired." Yesterday it seemed like most of us (the preacher included) were dragging a bit more than normal. We had a rough week as a church family. Family members passed away. Friends were diagnosed with cancer. The nation continues to reel after yet another shooting. And the list goes on. At this point, we're all worn out, and there's never enough sleep.

In the midst of this, I remembered the chorus of a gospel song:

How beautiful heaven must be Sweet home of the happy and free; Fair haven of rest for the weary, How beautiful heaven must be.

We don't really sing "How Beautiful Heaven Must Be" these days. Like I've written previously, we don't really sing about heaven at all anymore. But the one line really struck home with me today: heaven will be a "fair haven of rest for the weary." Folks, a lot of us are bone weary. We need a fair haven of rest. We need something to look forward to, if not in this world, than in the one to come. And here we have it: one day, all who know Christ will be happy and free in our sweet home, a beautiful heaven, a haven of rest.

Jesus promises us this in Matthew 11:28-30: "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." In a world that prizes busyness and the fast-paced above all else, remember the one who promises rest for your soul. Lay down your burdens, and look forward to a haven of rest.