“Come to me, all you who labour and have been burdened, and I will refresh you.” – Matthew 11:28
Christ’s invitation is not a vague offer of comfort but a profound reality for those who truly seek Him. In our struggles, we often turn to our own strength, relying on our willpower, routines, or external solutions to manage life’s burdens. Yet Christ does not say, “Endure alone,” or “Find your own way.” He commands us to come to Him. This is an act of faith, a conscious movement toward the One who alone can provide true refreshment. The Orthodox Christian life is not about self-sufficiency but about surrendering to divine grace.
The world constantly demands more of us, filling our minds with worries, anxieties, and endless distractions. Even within the Church, we can fall into the temptation of busyness—labouring for Christ without actually resting in Him. The story of Martha and Mary in Luke’s Gospel is not a rebuke of service but a revelation of priority. Christ tells Martha, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled over many things. And yet only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the best portion, and it shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42) The “one thing necessary” is Christ Himself. If our labours do not flow from a heart resting in Him, they become mere toil rather than spiritual fruitfulness.
To rest in Christ is not to embrace passivity but to enter into the stillness where God speaks. This stillness is not mere silence but an interior disposition, a heart receptive to divine grace. In a world consumed with noise and distraction, cultivating this sacred stillness requires effort. It is not idleness but a spiritual discipline, a watchfulness over the soul. The Holy Church, in her wisdom, has provided many means for this: prayerful silence, hesychia, the Jesus Prayer, and, above all, participation in the Holy Mysteries.
Hesychia, for example, is the sacred stillness of the heart, is a discipline known to the saints and ascetics of the Church. It is not an escape from reality but a deeper engagement with it through communion with Christ. The Jesus Prayer—“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner”—is a simple yet significantly profound means of entering into this blessed stillness. When prayed with attention and humility, it quiets the mind, subdues the passions, and draws the soul into the presence of God. It is not a formula but a way of life, a ceaseless remembrance of Christ that transforms the heart.
Above all, the Divine Liturgy is the wellspring of true spiritual rest. It is here that we step out of the cares of the world and into the foretaste of the Kingdom. Every petition in the Liturgy calls us to lay aside earthly concerns and focus entirely on Christ. When we receive the Holy Eucharist, we partake of the Bread of Life, the very source of our renewal. This is not a quick-passing rest but a deep restoration of the soul, for Christ Himself comes to dwell within us. Without the Eucharist, our spiritual strength wanes; with it, we are sustained in the journey toward salvation.
Yet, rest in Christ is not confined to the walls of the Church. It must extend into our daily lives. This means consciously stepping away from the distractions that pull us away from God. It requires setting aside time for silence, for prayer, for simply abiding in His presence. The saints teach us that even amidst the demands of life, we can cultivate an interior stillness, an unceasing awareness of Christ. This is the true peace that the world cannot give. “The intellect cannot be still unless the body is still also; and the wall between them cannot be demolished without stillness and prayer.” (St Mark the Ascetic). At the heart of this rest is trust. Our anxieties or fears often stem from a failure to surrender to God’s will. We grasp for control, fearing the unknown, forgetting that our lives are in His hands. But the Bible commands us, “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) True rest is not found in the absence of trials but in the certainty that Christ holds all things. The saints knew this well. Though they suffered, they did not despair, for their souls were anchored in Jesus Christ. Their peace was not dependent on circumstances but on their unwavering trust in God.
If we wish to enter into this rest, we must make a choice—to quiet our hearts, to seek Christ above all things, and to trust in His providence. The world will always demand more, but we are not called to live by its restless rhythm. We are called to abide in the peace of Christ, to rest in Him, and to find in Him the renewal of our souls.
As we journey through the Church’s seasons, whether in Advent, Great Lent, or the quiet of ordinary days, let us remember Christ’s call to rest in Him. The world will never cease its demands, but we are not meant to live in its restless rhythm. We are called to the peace of Christ, the peace that surpasses all understanding, a peace that begins when we take Him at His word and lay our burdens at His feet.
May God bless you +
Fr. Charles
8 December 2024
