I came before God with a heavy heart the other day and asked, “Poppa, what would You say to me today.” I saw an image of Jesus standing in front of me with his hands raised chest-high and upturned. It reminded me of the welcome gesture of the Tl’a’amin first nation people our area.

I asked Jesus what He meant by that gesture and heard, “It means that all that is mine I give to you. I am waiting to give it. Just come to Me and it is yours.” His eyes were filled with love and compassion, and a gentle look of pleading.

I imagined myself laying down every burden I was carrying, every thought and attitude that was holding me back. I said. “So, Lord, I come. I lay down everything I am carrying and I come.”

I hesitated for a few moments feeling unworthy but He waited, still holding His hands upraised. Finally I walked toward Him. As I got close I became completely engulfed by Him. It was a dark womb-like space. I felt utterly and completely safe and full of wonder: “I have everything I need. I am nurtured. I am safe. I am loved!” I marveled.

My thoughts continued, “I carry no worry at all here! Like an infant in its mother’s womb, I am helpless. There is nothing I can do for the ones I love, yet I have absolute faith that all will be well with them because He is in charge. Because He holds me and sustains me, He will do the same for them. I am not responsible for their lives and well-being – He is. I TRUST HIM.”

Through this vision I realize that Jesus truly is the Source of my life – not just my physical life, but my spiritual and emotional life as well. Even when I don’t know it, I depend on Him for everything.

Just like a child in the womb would die without the nourishment it receives through the umbilical cord connecting it to its source – its mother’s body – so my life depends on its attachment to Jesus, who is my Source. Since I’ve know Him I’ve learned that all of my efforts to meet my own needs are fruitless and futile. I delude myself when I think I can – or must – take care of myself. Jesus knows better than I do what I need, and in His upraised hands He holds it all. He offers me more than I could ever ask or imagine!

This is what it means to be “in Christ”! This is the place of rest!

You are my Source, Lord Jesus! I give myself, all that I am, to You for Your safe-keeping and nurturing. Thank You for your true, complete, and all-encompassing love.

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

God’s rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God. So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today… Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts. Hebrews 4:6-7