Full calendar. Tired heart. Wherever this fall finds you, God’s invitation to rest still stands.
Fall is a busy season filled with back-to-school routines, holiday preparations and, of course, a wedding or two. Between classes, work, family and everything else on your list, the days can pass more quickly than we’d like. Time to slow down—and spend with God—can feel hard to find. But a daily reflection doesn’t have to be complicated or lengthy. Even five minutes can offer a chance to pause, hear God’s Word and find comfort in His promises.
“Rest in Christ means to stop what we’re doing, take time and listen to God’s Word and take time to pray,” said Rev. Dr. Tony Sikora, CUAA campus pastor.
As CUAA reflects on this year’s theme verse, Jesus offers an invitation that is just as meaningful during the busiest days of fall as it is throughout the rest of the year:
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28 (ESV)
Take five minutes today, no matter how exhausted you feel, and choose one way to answer His call.
Pick one Psalm
Instead of trying to read several chapters, reflect on one. Choose one that speaks to your current situation and read it slowly. Is there a word or phrase that stands out to you? Consider what it is telling you about God and His love for you.
When your list feels longer than your day
Read Psalm 23.
“The Lord is my shepherd” is a familiar beginning, but take a moment to consider what that means for you. A shepherd leads his flock. They aren’t left to find their own way, and neither are you. As a deadline approaches or you struggle with a difficult assignment, remember that God is with you, even in the valleys.
Pause and pray: What feels heavy today? Bring it to God and ask Him to guide you through what comes next.
When everything feels unsettled
Read Psalm 46.
Some days, the noise is hard to escape. Your phone buzzes with emails and text messages, plans change and your mind jumps from one task to another. Before you know it, you’re thinking ahead, wondering what might go wrong next.
Sikora recommends Psalm 46 for times of stress and busyness. It reminds us that God is our refuge and strength and calls us to “be still.”
“The words ‘be still’ actually mean ‘stop striving,’” he said. “It’s more than just fitting time for God into our busy schedules. It means to stop fighting against both God and our neighbors.”
Sikora describes this as letting go of our struggle to acquire the things of this world and receiving the mercy, love and encouragement God gives through His Word. We don’t have to quiet every thought or get everything under control before coming to Him. He is our help in the middle of the chaos.
Bring it to God: Pause at the words, “Be still, and know that I am God.” What worry are you carrying today? Tell Him about it.
When you’re unsure what comes next
Read Psalm 121.
Maybe you’re beginning clinicals, preparing for an interview or wondering what life will look like after graduation. You may feel excited, anxious, nervous or all of the above. Psalm 121 asks a question many of us can relate to: Where does my help come from? The answer points us to the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
The One who created it all also watches over your coming and going. You don’t have to know every detail of the future to ask for His help today.
A question for today: What upcoming responsibility or change feels difficult? Ask God for help taking the next step.
When you’re comparing yourself to everyone else
Read Psalm 139.
Someone else seems to have better grades, a clearer career plan or a life that looks a little more put together. A few minutes of Facebook scrolling may seem harmless. But between comparing yourself to others and doomscrolling through one upsetting post after another, you may find yourself in a darker place than when you started.
Sikora encourages us to consider where we turn when life becomes overwhelming. Television, social media and other distractions can become ways to escape, pulling us away from our responsibilities and further into ourselves. He asks readers to seek the Lord in His Word.
Psalm 139 reminds you that God knows you personally. He knows your thoughts, your daily routines and the words you haven’t even spoken yet. You don’t have to make yourself impressive to get His attention.
Think about this: Name something about yourself that you’re thankful God gave you. It might be your creativity, your patience or the way you care for others. Thank Him for that gift.
Pray one honest prayer
Prayer doesn’t have to be long or carefully written. Tell God exactly what’s on your mind.
You might pray:
- Lord, help me trust You today.
- Give me patience.
- Thank You for walking with me.
- Show me how to love the people around me.
- Help me forgive as You have forgiven me.
God hears every prayer, no matter how simple. If you feel guilty about neglecting prayer or Scripture, Sikora encourages an honest look at your life in light of God’s Word. What are your priorities? Are other activities taking you away from your responsibilities as a spouse, parent, neighbor or coworker?
“Pray about how you might find ways to re-order your life around the things God gives and that which God commands,” he said.
Sikora encourages us to seek the Lord in His Word, examine our priorities and pray about how to reorder our lives around what God gives and commands. That includes repentance and receiving His gifts of mercy, love and encouragement.
A simple pattern from Pastor Sikora
If you’d like more structure, Sikora offers the following outline. Choose a shorter portion when you have five minutes, or spend longer with it when time allows.
- Begin in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
- Read a Psalm.
- Read a portion of one of the Gospels.
- Confess the Apostles’ Creed.
- Pray the Lord’s Prayer.
- Offer individual prayers for the day.
- Pray Luther’s Morning or Evening Prayer.
- If there’s time, sing a hymn.
Then, as Sikora puts it, “go to work or go to bed.”
Take a walk with God
Leave your phone behind—or silence the notifications—and take a short walk. Walking offers physical health benefits and a chance to pause and pray. Notice the changing colors, listen to the birds and feel the breeze as you thank God for His creation. Let each step remind you that Christ walks with you through the heaviest of days, too.
Practice gratitude
Take out your phone or a notebook and write down at least three things you’re thankful for. They don’t have to be extraordinary.
- A conversation with a friend.
- A safe place to live.
- A meal to eat.
- A beautiful Michigan sunset.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV)
Memorize this year’s theme verse
Carry Matthew 11:28 with you throughout the fall. Write it on a sticky note and place it on your computer. Use a dry erase marker to write it on your bathroom mirror. You can save it on your phone or repeat it while driving. Keeping God’s Word close can remind you of Christ’s promise wherever the day takes you.
The more we dwell on God’s Word, the more readily it comes to mind when we need encouragement.
Reach out to someone
After spending time in God’s Word and prayer, consider how you might care for someone He has placed in your life.
- Send a text.
- Make a phone call.
- Offer to pray for a friend.
- Do a random act of kindness.
- Encourage someone who may need to hear they’re not alone.
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)
End the day with one question
Before going to bed, ask yourself: Where did I see God at work today? Maybe it was through a conversation, an answered prayer, unexpected peace or a small act of kindness. Looking back often helps us recognize God’s faithfulness in moments we might have otherwise missed.
An invitation to share what is on your heart
Jesus doesn’t ask us to come to Him only when life slows down or everything falls into place. He invites us to come exactly as we are—with full calendars, tired hearts, unanswered questions and difficult days. Don’t worry about creating the perfect devotional routine. Simply begin. Take five minutes to hear God’s Word, bring your worries to Him and rest in His promises. Your responsibilities will still be waiting when you finish, but you don’t have to face them alone.
“God will not forsake you,” Sikora said.
For more encouragement, explore CUAA’s campuswide invitation to ‘Rest in Christ.’ Photo above by Kirsten Harrington.
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