This year’s theme encourages students, faculty, and staff to find renewal, peace and purpose in Christ’s promise of rest.
“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, ESV).
Jesus is in the world, but Jesus is not of the world. Jesus is God, but Jesus is also man. He is God incarnate, God made flesh. Jesus is a King, but He is no Caesar. Caesar is all about work. Jesus calls you to rest. The world works itself to death. Jesus has come that you may have life and have it abundantly, not as a trophy earned, but as a gift received.
Everything in the world is geared toward work. But the world is apart from Christ and disordered by nature. We worship our work. We work at our play. And we play at our worship. As a result, we never seem to get a break. We do not rest. And a heart that does not rest is an anxious heart. Anxious hearts keep busy, keep moving, keep trying, keep working, and, as every day passes, the likelihood of burnout increases. This often leads to sin, shame, and vice—all to ease the mind, comfort the soul, and affirm the heart. Worst of all, it ignores, at best, and neglects, at worst, one’s spiritual life.
Jesus does not call you nearer to Himself to give you something to do. Quite the opposite. Jesus calls you away from the busyness of the world, away from trivial recreation, away from sin, and away from your anxious life to Himself. He wants you to rest: rest from work, rest from sin, and rest in Him by grace through faith, not by works, lest any man should boast.
The Christian life begins not with work, but with rest. Christ gives us new life by giving us His life. Having suffered for our sins on the cross, Christ’s blood has covered sin, shame, and vice with His holiness. Having risen from the dead on the third day, our Lord now calls us closer to Himself to be forgiven, receive His mercy, and learn to live a life of righteousness—not to be saved, but to love and serve our neighbors with His love.
This year, our theme will focus on the rest Christ gives to His children. Times will be busy. Free time will be filled with recreation and relaxation. Christ calls you to a deeper rest than that. He offers rest for your soul and the peace that surpasses all understanding.
Take time to rest. Be intentional about your spiritual life. Rest your body, certainly. But also take time to rest your soul. Make resting in Christ a routine. Rest in worship on the weekend. Rest in chapel during the week. Rest with Christ as He comforts your heart with His Word. Rest in Christ as you remember your Baptism. Rest in, with, and under Christ as He comes to you in the Holy Supper.
Take time to rest.
You are in the world, the same world to which our Lord came. You are no longer of the world. For all who believe in Christ Jesus our Lord are a new creation.
By Rev. Dr. E. Anthony Sikora, Campus Chaplain
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