Daily Encouragement: Day 247

From Handbook to Wisdom, Day 247

THE PULLEY OF RESTLESSNESS

Lord, You have said,
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden,
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)

I will trust in the Lord and do good;
I will dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness.
I will delight myself in the Lord,
and He will give me the desires of my heart.
I will commit my way to the Lord and trust in Him,
and He will bring it to pass.
I will rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him;
I will not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
with the man who practices evil schemes.
(Psalm 37:3–5, 7)

The metaphysical poet George Herbert (1593–1633) beautifully expressed how God uses the pulley of restlessness to draw us to Himself, knowing that our hearts can find true rest in Him alone (Matthew 11:28–30).

When God at first made man,
Having a glass of blessings standing by,
Let us (said he) pour on him all we can:
Let the world’s riches, which dispurs’ed lie,
Contract into a span.

So strength first made a way;
Then beauty flowed, then wisdom, honour, pleasure:
When almost all was out, God made a stay,
Perceiving that alone of all his treasure
Rest in the bottom lay.

For if I should (said he)
Bestow this jewel also on my creature,
He would adore my gifts instead of me,
And rest in Nature, not the God of Nature:
So both should losers be.

Yet let him keep the rest,
But keep them with repining restlessness:
Let him be rich and weary, that at least,
If goodness lead him not, yet weariness
May toss him to my breast.