Restless

In honor of Saint Augustine’s Feast day that just passed I want to take some time to reflect on a quote by him….

“You made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” 

What a beautiful reminder that we are not made of this world! I think it’s so easy to get wrapped up in things like work, school, possessions, etc. The world tells us that all our thoughts and efforts must go to these things. If this happens, we find ourselves restless… always wanting more, always trying to be the best. There is no winning. You will always be restless.

Now here’s the good news! We were not made for worldly things. Our God loves us so much, He made us for Him and Him alone. What an amazing refuge He is. His arms are always open and we are invited to rest in Him.

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

This invitation has always and will always be here. God wants to help you carry your cross. Will you let Him? Sometimes it can be easy to give our Lord pieces of your life “Yes, I trust you Lord…but maybe not with ____” But God wants all of you. All your brokeness, your strengths, your weaknesses. When we give Him everything He gives us back even more.

“You welcome all who come to you, though you never lost them” (Saint Augustine’s Confessions)

Even in those times when it was difficult to feel His presence, He was there… He never left you.

Saint Augustine, himself had been through a lot. He lead a life that was full of struggles. We can take his words to heart. For me, Saint Augustine, is very relatable. As a youth he would pray “Give me chastity and continence, but not yet.” We all want to live a good but we need to take the next step and commit to making some changes. It can start with a simple prayer of “Lord, I invite you into my heart, show me my ways that need changing.” Our God knows our hearts better than we do.

When we invite Him in He is the one that will give our hearts rest.