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“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
I love the atmosphere of a fireplace. Sitting next to a glowing fire in the evening brings a warm, cozy feeling. Coming in to warm up in front of the fire is a wonderful way to relax after a busy day working in the cold. Before long, I feel so snug that I could easily drift off to sleep. However, I have noticed that if I ever have to go into the back part of the house after sitting by a fire awhile, I feel a definite chill! The thermostat may be set to seventy degrees, but it still feels cold back there because I have become accustomed to sitting close to a source of heat.
Just as the warmth of a fire puts the body at rest, Jesus is the source of warmth that can put our souls at rest. When we are first saved, the warmth of His love is amazing—it is the first time our souls experience true peace. And when we stay close to Him, our hearts continue to be warmed and restful. Walking with Him each day we learn that time spent with Jesus is the best way to handle the trials and daily stresses of life, because being by His side is where we find comfort.
However, after dwelling near Him for a while, the one who ventures away will notice a definite lack of His presence. Turmoil and stress can begin to prevail, and the peace and rest are gone. The best thing to do at that point is quickly return to His side, where there is constant comfort!
This winter, our weather has been colder than normal, but I had to start rationing my fireplace enjoyment because it is fueled by gas and our bill skyrocketed last month! The comfort and warmth are there and available, but there will be a cost if the fireplace is used.
Not so with Jesus. It will not cost us a penny to stay close and enjoy the warmth of His love. It is free to all who look to Him, and we never have to leave because He said He would be with us, “even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20). Jesus is truly the best “heat source” for our hearts. There is never a malfunction, and the warmth is unlimited. If you have been feeling “chilly” lately, take some time to warm up in His presence.
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