Last Wednesday I found myself quickly pulling out of Henderson State University at 2:15, trying to make it to work by 3:00. I had been at school since before 8:00 that morning, and I had been in classes all day. Tired and frazzled from a long day at school, I was rushing to made it to work on time, where I would be for one hour. After work, I would go home, get ready, and head back to Henderson for a two-hour meeting.

That was not an unusual day for me, however. It seems like I’m always in a hurry to get from one place to the next. I love staying busy, but on this certain day, I felt like I had reached the point where my crankiness, anxiousness, and lack of sleep was about to take over.

I am taking 19 hours this semester, and I have to be at school every day at 8:00 AM. Every Monday evening, I have to attend a meeting for the Christian sorority I am a part of at Henderson. Wednesdays consist of school and a prayer meeting that I lead at my church, which is directly followed by our Wednesday night services where I help with the youth. I teach a Sunday School class at my church as well as organize and lead worship for the kids on Sundays. And, typically, anytime I’m not at church or school, I’m at work. I also have to find time between all of this chaos to do homework and attend family gatherings, birthday parties, and showers.

Back to my story… As I was driving from school to work last Wednesday, I was stressing about assignments that were coming up and everything that needed to be accomplished that week. I was trying to picture my calendar in my mind and go through the checklist of all of the important dates that are coming up. My heart was also flooded with sadness as I drove thinking about a few family members and friends that are going through some very hard and uncertain times. As I was sitting and driving (and worrying), I began to realize just how tired I was. I wasn’t only tired from a lack of sleep, but I was tired mentally and emotionally.

I hadn’t even been paying much attention to what was playing on the radio, but suddenly the song Worn by Tenth Avenue North began to play on the Klove radio station. I feel like God knew that I needed to hear that song, in that moment.

Have you ever looked up the definition of the word worn? Webster’s definition for worn is, “to become useless from long or excessive wear or use.”

That is exactly where I found myself last Wednesday. My body and mind were both so tired. I felt as if they had both been overworked, and I had finally reached a point where I felt useless. I was so worn that I didn’t think it was possible for me to do anything productive.

And the lyrics so perfectly captured how I felt. Life is fun and exciting sometimes, but unfortunately, we can’t always be thriving on the mountain. Sometimes we find ourselves lying face down in the valley very tired, angry, confused, hurt, and worn. Living and surviving, in itself, can be a tiring thing.

How many of you are feeling worn? Has life dragged you so far down into the pit that you’re not sure if there is a way out? Maybe you are tired from hours of working, or maybe you’re a mother who has been stretched thin from caring for her children or trying to make it to every practice and activity. Or maybe you're like me and you're just tired from everything life has been continuously throwing at you. Maybe it's simply the fact that the struggles and trials keep being thrown at you, and you're tired of fighting them.

I know that life can be chaotic, and maybe you’ve reached the point where you don't know if you can make it one more step.

But, you can, sweet friend.

In Matthew 11:28-29 Jesus said,

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily 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 (renewal, blessed, and quietness) for your souls."

Jesus wants to give you the rest you desire, and all you have to do is take His yoke upon you. In other words, Jesus wants to be our companion.

A yoke is a wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plow or cart that they are to pull. We are meant to be side by side, or yoked together, with Jesus and follow his guidance. As long as we yoke ourselves together with Christ and follow His lead, Jesus promises to provide rest for your soul.

If you have found yourself in need of rest, try drawing close to Jesus. If you draw near to Him, His word says He will draw near to you. He will never lead you anywhere you don't need to go, and you can rest knowing He will take you exactly where you need to go.