Oil of Gladness
Matthew 11:28Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.
Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Invitation with no entrance exam: all who labor and are heavy laden. Labor is work; heavy laden is burden—religious, emotional, bodily, economic. Rest is Jesus' gift, not a prize for finishing self-rescue. Come is movement toward a Person. July exhaustion is real; so is the tendency to seek rest in escape that does not restore. Come to Him in prayer, Word, and surrender of the load you were never meant to carry alone. He gives rest—ongoing gift. Lay down the pack tonight by name. Rest may include sleep, Sabbath, and help from others as means. The Giver remains Christ. Heavy laden people are welcome; pretend-strong people miss the invitation.
PrayerLord Jesus, I come heavy laden—give me rest. Take what I cannot carry, and teach me to stay near Your easy company. Amen.
