Prioritizing His Presence Devotion - Day 1: The Invitation to Rest

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Scripture:

"Come to me, all 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 lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." — Matthew 11:28-29

Devotional:
Can we talk about how hard it is to just be still? I don’t mean sitting in front of the TV with a blanket (although that’s a vibe). I mean that deep, soul-level stillness—the kind where you’re not trying to figure everything out, fix everything, or serve everything away.

I’ve been there—drowning in busyness. Between working on my projects, making time for my husband, and battling the endless loop of “what ifs” and “whens” in my mind, I’ve caught myself believing that if I just do more, serve more, or try harder, then maybe—just maybe—I’ll feel at peace.

But here’s the truth: You can’t serve your way out of anxiousness. You can’t outwork worry. And you can’t outrun the whispers of doubt by trying to do all the things.

Then I think about Luke 10:41-42, where Jesus gently tells Martha, “You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Ouch. That one hits close to home.

Martha was busy trying to make everything perfect for Jesus, but Mary? She chose to sit at His feet. It wasn’t about what she could do for Him—it was about being with Him. And honestly, that’s the reminder I need. Maybe it’s the reminder you need, too.

This week, let’s press pause. Let’s prioritize His presence over everything else.

Jesus isn’t asking us to have it all figured out. He’s asking us to bring our mess to Him and exchange it for His rest. That’s exactly what Mary did—she sat at Jesus’ feet, letting Him pour into her.

So today, take a deep breath and ask yourself: What do I need to lay down so I can pick up His peace?


Worship Song:
"Press into Your Presence" by Shana Wilson

https://youtu.be/_68EM_Faros?si=c6pj-ikvPnvAVPbK


Declaration:
I lay down my anxious thoughts and heavy burdens, and I receive Your rest, Lord.

Prayer:
Father, I’m tired of carrying this weight alone. Teach me to trust You with my fears, my worries, and my unmet desires. Replace my anxiety with Your peace. Let me rest in You and find joy in Your presence today. Amen.

Let this devotional guide you today as you let go of what’s heavy and lean into His peace. You’ve got this. 💛

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