I’ve always had a restless heart, always looking for the next best thing, never quite satisfied with the status quo. My restlessness has led me across the country 3 times and given me wonderful experiences like seeing the Grand Canyon, snorkeling in Hawaii, and exploring Mammoth Cave.
However, this same restlessness has also had unfortunate consequences. For example, my constant search for that perfect job has resulted in our moving several times, including across the country, which was hard on my family and made things difficult financially at times.
I am not alone in this. Restlessness seems to have always been a part of the human spirit, going all the way back to the Garden of Eden. Satan appealed to this restlessness when he tempted Eve to take the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, assuring her “when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:4 NIV). Unfortunately, he was right and humanity has been dealing with the terrible consequences of that decision ever since.
Esau was condemned to “be a restless wanderer on the earth.” (Genesis 4:12). Abraham, Issac and Jacob wandered from place to place and the children of Israel’s restless spirits led them to wander in the desert for 40 years. Job, that mighty man of God, dealt with an unsettled spirit, declaring, “My heart is troubled and restless.” (Job 30:27).
The root cause of our restlessness is our broken relationship with our Heavenly Father. Saint Augustine wrote, “Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.” We are God’s children and it is only in relationship with Him we can find rest and peace and a place to call home.
This is why Jesus came to this earth, to heal the rift sin tore in our relationship with God. His death paid the price, setting us free from slavery to sin, and opening the way for us to finally find the rest we seek. He promises, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28).
We will never find a cure for our restless hearts in the pursuit of the things of this world. Jesus is what we’re looking for. He says, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29).
If you, like me, have a restless heart, come to Jesus. Stop your restless wandering, chasing after things which will never satisfy. Give your heart to Jesus and finally find the rest and peace you’ve been longing for.