Refreshed by the Son

Coming in from the backyard, all I could think about was the scorching temperature outside. The sun had beaten down on me until my face turned red and sweat poured from my body, soaking my t-shirt. I couldn’t wait to take a shower and cool off in the air conditioning. While my vegetable garden was doing well, I didn’t really care about it at that moment. In that moment, I truly understood the phrase “heat exhaustion.” I was hot and drained and didn’t care if I ever left the house again.

As I sat on the sofa, cooling down with a glass of sweet tea, I reflected on recent days. So many things had just kept piling on. I felt overwhelmed and oh, so tired. I needed more than just A/C and a cold drink to make me feel better. I needed refreshment from the inside out. I needed Jesus.

I picked up my pink leather-bound devotional book and opened it up. “Come to me, all who are weary, and I will give you rest,” I read. Yes, Lord, I seriously need some rest, I prayed. “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” Yes, I needed the living water Jesus was offering. “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you.” Okay, I was ready. I had been walking through fire, carrying a heavy load, and I was ready to lay it at Jesus’ feet.

As I bowed my head and meditated on the Word, I felt my stress melt away. I realized the Holy Spirit was doing for me what I could not do for myself. God’s grace was lifting me up when I had no strength left. And when I opened my eyes, I knew I had been restored. I had needed a whole lot more than cool air and a glass of tea, and the Lord had delivered. I had been refreshed by the Son, and I was ready to take on whatever life – including the heat of summer and my circumstances – threw my way.

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” – Psalm 55:22

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28

“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” – John 7:37-38