Finding True Rest in Jesus Amidst Life's Busyness

Many of us find ourselves exhausted by the relentless pace of life, even as we try to serve God and do all the “right” things. We fill our calendars with church events, service projects, and family obligations, yet still feel unfulfilled, wondering if our faith is really making a difference. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, life unravels—prayers seem unanswered, relationships break, and disappointment sets in. We may even begin to question whether following Jesus is truly working for us.

This struggle is not new. We often fall into the trap of believing that if we just work harder, achieve more, or check off more spiritual boxes, we’ll finally find peace and fulfillment. But this is the world’s way, not Jesus’ way. The world tells us to push harder, to sacrifice relationships and rest for the sake of success, even in our spiritual lives. Yet, as Proverbs 14:12 warns, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” We see this in the stories of Saul, who tried to justify his disobedience with religious activity, and in our own lives when we sacrifice what matters most on the altar of busyness and ambition.

Jesus offers a radically different way. He invites us to slow down, to walk in step with Him, and to find rest for our souls. Throughout His ministry, Jesus was never in a hurry. He stopped for the overlooked, the hurting, and the outcast—Bartimaeus, Zacchaeus, the woman with the issue of blood—because He lived in constant fellowship with the Father. He calls us to take His yoke upon us, to learn from Him, and to discover that His burden is light. This means prioritizing our relationship with God above all else, trusting that when we do, everything else will fall into its proper place.

Psalm 23 paints a beautiful picture of this life: the Lord as our shepherd, leading us beside still waters, restoring our souls, and guiding us—even through the darkest valleys. God’s discipline and guidance, though sometimes painful, are ultimately for our comfort and good. In the end, the question is not how much we’ve accomplished, but where we will dwell forever. Jesus invites us to acknowledge our need, believe in Him, and confess Him as Lord, so that we might experience true rest, purpose, and eternal life.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Busyness and Religious Activity Can Mask Spiritual Emptiness It’s possible to be deeply involved in church and still feel unfulfilled or distant from God. When our faith becomes a checklist of activities rather than a relationship, we risk missing the true rest and joy Jesus offers. The world’s way of striving leads to exhaustion, not fulfillment. [01:30]
• 2. The World’s Way of Success Often Leads to Loss Pursuing achievement, recognition, or material gain—even in the name of faith—can cost us the relationships and spiritual depth God desires for us. Like Saul, we may justify our choices, but partial obedience is still disobedience. True success is measured by faithfulness, not by what we accumulate or accomplish. [12:02]
• 3. Jesus Models a Life of Unhurried Presence and Compassion Jesus was never too busy to stop for those in need. His life was marked by attentiveness to the Father and to people, even when others rushed by. We are called to slow down, notice those around us, and allow God to use us in the interruptions. [19:29]
• 4. Rest Comes from Walking in Step with Jesus, Not from Achieving More Jesus invites us to take His yoke, to learn from Him, and to find rest for our souls. This means surrendering our pace, our plans, and our burdens, and trusting Him to lead. Rest is not found in doing more, but in abiding in Christ and letting Him set the rhythm of our lives. [23:19]
• 5. God’s Guidance and Discipline Are Acts of Love, Not Punishment Psalm 23 reminds us that God’s rod and staff—His correction and direction—are meant to comfort and protect us. Even when we walk through dark valleys or face painful discipline, God is with us, working for our good and inviting us to dwell with Him forever.
  
  ** [34:24]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:29] - The Exhaustion of Busyness
• [01:30] - When Faith Feels Empty
• [02:44] - Hypocrisy and Disillusionment
• [03:46] - Doing Everything Right, Still Hurting
• [06:17] - The Search for Fulfillment
• [07:30] - The World’s Way vs. Jesus’ Way
• [10:59] - Saul’s Story: Partial Obedience
• [13:04] - Joseph: Waiting on God’s Timing
• [14:17] - Facing Loss and Death
• [17:19] - Jesus: The Way, the Truth, the Life
• [19:29] - Jesus’ Unhurried Compassion
• [22:37] - Jesus’ Invitation to Rest
• [24:06] - The Meaning of the Yoke
• [27:00] - Examining Our Priorities
• [32:11] - Psalm 23: The Shepherd’s Care
• [34:24] - God’s Rod and Staff
• [40:38] - Goodness, Mercy, and Our Eternal Home
• [43:15] - The ABCs of Salvation
• [44:40] - Closing and Worship

Bible Reading

Proverbs 14:12 (ESV) — "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death."

- Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)
"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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

- Psalm 23 (ESV)
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Observation Questions

1. According to Proverbs 14:12, what is the danger of following a path that "seems right" to us?
2. In Matthew 11:28-30, what does Jesus promise to those who are weary and burdened? What does He invite them to do?
3. In Psalm 23, what are some of the ways the Lord cares for and guides His people?
4. The sermon mentioned that even religious activity and busyness can leave us feeling empty or distant from God. What are some examples the pastor gave of this happening in real life? [01:30]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do people often believe that working harder or doing more religious activities will bring them fulfillment or peace? How does this mindset compare to what Jesus offers? [07:30]
2. What does it mean to "take Jesus’ yoke" and "learn from Him"? How is this different from the world’s way of striving for success? [24:06]
3. Psalm 23 talks about God’s rod and staff comforting us. How can God’s discipline and guidance be a source of comfort, even when it’s difficult? [34:24]
4. The sermon described Jesus as someone who was never in a hurry and always willing to stop for people in need. What does this reveal about His priorities and relationship with the Father? [19:29]

Application Questions

1. The pastor shared that it’s possible to be very busy with church and still feel spiritually empty. Have you ever experienced this? What specific activities or habits might be crowding out your relationship with God right now? [01:30]
2. Proverbs 14:12 warns that there is a way that seems right but leads to death. Are there areas in your life where you might be following your own way instead of God’s? How can you recognize and change course? [08:03]
3. Jesus invites us to come to Him for rest and to take His yoke. What would it look like for you to slow down and walk at Jesus’ pace this week? Is there a practical step you can take to create more space for God in your daily routine? [23:19]
4. The sermon talked about how Jesus noticed and stopped for people others ignored. Who in your life might need your attention or compassion right now? How can you be more present and available to them? [19:29]
5. The pastor mentioned that God’s discipline (the rod) and guidance (the staff) are meant for our good. Can you think of a time when God used a difficult situation to guide or correct you? How did it ultimately help you? [34:24]
6. Psalm 23 ends with the promise of dwelling in the house of the Lord forever. How does keeping an eternal perspective help you handle disappointment, loss, or busyness in this life? [41:22]
7. The ABCs of salvation were shared at the end of the sermon: Acknowledge, Believe, Confess. Where are you in your journey with Jesus right now? Is there a next step you feel God is inviting you to take? [43:15]