Soul Rest

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30 CSB

Come to me all who are weary…what a beautiful promise Jesus offers to us in this verse. A promise of rest. And not just “why don’t you lie down and take a nap” rest, BUT rest for our souls. I don’t know about you, but I could use some soul rest. 

The first sentence in the book “The Road Less Traveled” by M. Scott Peck states, “Life is difficult.” The first time I read it, I chuckled to myself, thinking, “What a great way to start a book”...what a naive 20-year-old I was. Life has a tendency to throw us curveballs along the way. Broken relationships & friendships, infertility, death of a marriage, death of a parent. M Scott Peck wasn’t joking!!

This has been a difficult season of life for me. I have felt discouraged, overwhelmed, scared, and alone. I have often prayed this verse, pleading with the Father for “soul rest”. I am incredibly grateful for the Father’s love and care for us. He has surrounded me with amazing friends who feel more like family than friends, a church that I love, and family that is walking alongside me as I navigate this season. He is such a good God! There are many days that I don’t experience the rest I’m asking for, yet I believe God is faithful, and I hold on to the promise in Romans 8:28 that says, “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”

So, if you are in a chapter of life that is difficult, may I encourage you to hold tight to the Father. I know that there are moments I struggle to feel His peace and His presence, but I hold on to His promises. Steph Regier has shared with me that one of her favorite verses is 2 Chronicles 20:12, “Our God, will you not judge them? For we are powerless before this vast number that comes to fight against us. We do not know what to do, but we look to you.” I don’t know what’s ahead, but I do know who to look to.

Praise the Lord!
Cory

Accountability

“God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not banish me from Your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore the joy of your salvation to me and sustain me by giving me a willing spirit.”
Psalm 51:10-12 CSB

The Father has really been speaking to me about redemption, surrender, and obedience, since January when I attended Rooted. I’ve been praying regularly that the Lord would reveal my sin to me, and just like Pastor Jack said this past Sunday in his sermon, “if you ask He will begin immediately to reveal your sin.” (my paraphrase) It’s been and continues to be a painful yet incredibly beautiful experience. I’ve been working to “knock down” my idols and am praising the Lord for His patience, kindness, and faithfulness to me through this process. 

One of the biggest helps in my journey has been my accountability partner. This has been a new addition to my life. I’m typically an open book so initially I thought this would be a piece of cake! But taking the time to share all your sins and difficulties…to be completely vulnerable was more intimidating than I thought. BUT so incredibly worth it.   She has been my faithful cheerleader; challenging me to go deeper, to be vulnerable, and she prays for me often to fully surrender to our God. I’m not sure I could successfully be working through this process without her. 

So here’s my challenge: work to find an accountability partner. Think about people in your life who you can be completely honest with, who share your faith, and who love you enough to want to see you change for the better. We handed out cards a while back that listed questions you can ask each other or in a group setting to get you started. If you didn’t get one or if you don’t have it anymore I’ve attached the questions at the end of this journal. It has been such a blessing in my life. 

David’s prayer in Psalm 51 for restoration is my heart’s cry! Purify me, wash me whiter than snow, let me hear joy and gladness, create a clean heart in me, restore the joy of Your salvation to me, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. I am so grateful that the man who was “after God’s own heart” stumbled and repented. What a beautiful example of our Father’s grace, mercy, and love for His people. Hallelujah!!

As I step into this new role at Grace Community Church (GraceKids Ministry Director) I am reminding myself that He is faithful and working out good for this AMAZING ministry.

“The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. You will not despise a broken and humbled heart, God.”
Psalm 51:17 CSB

Blessings and grace upon grace upon grace,
Cory Rogers

Commitments into Conversations Questions:

• How is your one-on-one time with God? Have you spent daily time in Bible reading, memorization, and prayer? (Ps 119:9–16; Mt 26:36–44)

• What are you anxious about, and have you surrendered those concerns to God? (Phil 4:5–9)

• Have your words built others up or torn them down? (Eph 4:29–32)

• Have you been completely above reproach in your money spending and downtime?

• Have you taken care of your body through regular physical exercise, proper eating, and adequate sleep? Have you taken a day of REST in the Lord?

• Are you making the most of your time, talents, and treasure for God’s glory & Kingdom? (Col 3:23–24)

• Have you entertained any flirtatious, lustful, or tempting thoughts, actions, or attitudes? Have you exposed yourself to any material which would not glorify God? (1Cor 10:13, 1Thess 4:3–8)

• Have you taken responsibility for your sins and offenses, repenting and asking for forgiveness? (Mt 6:12, 14–15)

• Have you shared the Gospel with an unbeliever recently? (Acts 1:8)

• Are you actively making disciples by teaching and showing others how to follow Jesus? (Mt 28:19–20)