https://odb.org/2023/08/29/when-youre-weary
We often read about or use the expression, “rest in peace,” or RIP when we offer condolences to the family of the departed. RIP is also common as an epitaph. The reason I guess is that when one dies, all worldly matters are of no concern anymore. He ceases to participate in the affairs of this world. His body has stopped functioning, and in time to come, his body will become just bones in the ground. It is true whether one is a beggar or a king, a peasant or a billionaire, or even a former prime minister. Whether he was at peace with himself or the world before he passed is now irrelevant. He is resting in peace, in the sense that he is no longer a part of this world. He may be remembered as a piece of our memories and ongoing history, but he has departed from this realm.
But is the dead truly at peace? What happens to his soul and spirit, the part of a dead person that lives on although his body is gone? As Christians, we believe that our spirit and soul return to God when we die. In the New Testament, Jesus uses the expression ‘asleep’ to denote human death, and it is true because their spirit and soul are asleep while waiting for the day of Jesus Christ.
Jesus declares that only He knows the Father and those whom He chose to reveal (see Matthew 11:25-30). He then goes on to call those who are weary and burdened to go to Him, for He will give us rest. Take His yoke upon us and learn from Him, for He is gentle and humble in heart. He will give us rest.
True rest, even on this earth, in this busy world can only come from knowing Jesus. Living life is both tiring and burdensome. Life is such that for most of us, we can not stop and rest, or we may drop the ball. We need to be attentive all the time and keep on working, lest there is no food on the table, or using the British expression, there is no bacon to bring home. It’s a continuous push, but we don’t want to only rest in peace when we die, with our boots on the ground. We want that peace now, and only Jesus can give us that peace and that rest in our souls as we learn from Him, for His yoke is light, and He is gentle and humble in heart. True rest now can only come with the assurance of eternal life as whoever drinks of His living waters will never thrist. Those who believe in Him, though they may die, they will live as He is the resurrection and the life.
Until our final destination is secured and we live in the centre of God’s will, fulfilling His plans and purposes for our lives, conceived before the foundations of the world, we will not have true peace and rest while on this earth or even thereafter.
Ronnie's Thoughts 