The rest of the story for a restless world

"The Rest of the Story," Paul Harvey's commentary on some obscure fact brings new light to some well-known event in history. This is not the case here.

Many of us have heard of the movie, "The Greatest Story Ever Told." I don't like that title. Why? The word "story" implies fiction or fable. I prefer to call it the "Greatest Event Ever Recorded."

This message is focused on the word "rest." Because of this event and only because of this event we can find rest for our souls.

Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to me, all you 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."

This message will be kicking off a three-part series, "Find Rest in a Restless World," on finding rest for your souls in Christ.

People are looking for a place to rest their weary souls. They try one thing after another looking for peace of mind and meaning, only to come up empty every time. Today I am talking to three basic groups of people:

1. Those searching for a place of rest, wandering back and forth, hoping to find something solid to believe in.

2. Those having discovered the place, but are not sure how to completely enter in. You know the truth and even believe the truth but have a hard time putting it into practice. When trouble comes you tend to revert back to things that never brought you peace in the first place. Why do we think they will work now when they didn't work before?

3. Those having entered His rest but still are challenged and tested. People who have applied the truth to their lives and are still in the midst of serious trial and heartache.

Do we ever have things happen to us that defy explanation? Our lives are turned upside down.

Let's look at some people in the Bible who fall into some of those areas. Mary, Martha and Lazarus were some of those people. Read John 11:1-44.

Trust in God will not be met with disappointment in the end. We are often beset and temporary suffering, disappointment, anger, confusion and even discouragement.

Of the three, where are you today? Are you still searching for a place to rest? Do you know the truth but are having a hard time applying it? Are you in a battle for peace walking in faith not yet receiving the promise?

-- Pastor Leo Kruger is a member of the Carson Valley Ministers' Association.