Keeping up appearances

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.
(Matthew 11:28-30, NIVUK)

I read an amazing quote recently:
 
“Keeping up appearances is the most expensive thing in the world” - AC Benson.
 
I wonder how much rest and restoration we miss because we want to keep up appearances. Or maybe we are too prideful to ask for help. Maybe we don’t want to let people know that we’re suffering or in need of support.
 
Whatever our reasons may be, I find Christ’s invitation to just come and be with him a liberating thought. With him we can be who we are without fear of judgment or condemnation. We don’t have to be good enough to just come and receive his love and the rest he offers. He is clearly not inviting well rested, strong people to come and receive his rest. They don’t need what Jesus offers.
 
Or maybe, when we decline God’s invitation, we might think that we don’t need his rest, or we don’t want others to know that we need help.
 
That is why AC. Benson’s quote is so poignantly relevant. Our pride and stubbornness can be the most expensive thing we ever allow.
 
May you be honest and open enough to ask for help and receive God’s rest and blessing when you need it.
 
But more than that, may you be a person who welcomes those who are weary and in need of help, as Christ does. May you receive and offer God’s love in equal parts, and so get to know Jesus more.
 
A prayer - Lord Jesus, please forgive my pride, and the reluctance to ask for and accept the help you provide through your people. May I know your rest and renewal and offer it to those around me too. Amen.
 
Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash