Have you become exhausted from the journey of your life and work?

Are you weighted down with heavy loads of care and concerns?

Do you ever feel weary? Not from a lack of sleep but from people. Conversations, defending yourself and navigating through the traps that people are trying to set for you. All this can leave you exhausted.

These opening verses of chapter 12 following on from the hall of faith is a huge encouragement to us all.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12 v 1-3)

It is a call to keep going but to do it by coming to Jesus. To fix our eyes on Him. To consider Him. To see what He endured for us. It is Jesus and His life and who He is that sustains us during times when all we want to do is give up. You cannot do this race without focusing your life on Jesus. Today it is imperative that Jesus is in your thoughts and on your lips. He wants this to be the case.

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” John 6:35

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. John 6:37

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. John 7:37

Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Isaiah 55:1

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. Revelation 22:17

Jesus is not suggesting you lay down and have a sleep in order to find rest. Although some of us do need to sleep more! But He is inviting us to leave in order to accept the invitation to come to Him.

Come to me all who are gifted with greatness. No.

Those who look like they are going to drop. Those on the verge of giving up. Those who have no answers. Those who are tired of it all. Those who want to run away. Those who are at their wits end. Those who cannot change their circumstances. Those who are weary and burdened.

Come.

Come to me.

Fix your eyes on me. Consider me. Look to me in this race. This is about you and Jesus.