September 23: Restless Leg Awareness Day

 

September 23:  Restless Leg Awareness Day 

Restless Leg Syndrome is characterized by urges to move the legs even when at rest, and it can also occur in the arms. This call to awareness is held on the same day each year to coincide with the birth date of Professor Karl-Axel Ekborn (born 23rd September 1907, died 1977). This eminent Swedish neurologist first wrote and described the disease in 1945.

While most of us don’t suffer from this malady, we all struggle with restless hearts from time to time.  For some, we are in a perpetual state of anxiety.  Hear again the full and rich promises of God in Jesus Christ. 

First, know and believe that Jesus truly wants you to experience deep, soul-satisfying rest.  In His day, Christ was surrounded by God-fearing Jews who were perpetually looking over their shoulders, waiting for God to lower the boom.  To them, and to us, He gently invites:  “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30).  Do you hear Him?  His teachings are not a burden, and in the midst of our failure to measure up, His default is grace.  Rest! 

Second, consider Jesus’ best student, the Apostle Paul as he drives this point home.  “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13)  What a relief!  Jesus’ yoke is “work out your own salvation,” and His promise is that He will give us both the want to, and the can do!  Rest! 

Rest is our destiny.  God Himself established the perfect rhythm of life by instituting a Sabbath, a rest.  Someday, we will enjoy that rest forever.  As the writer of Hebrews says in chapter 4, “So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God…”  The glory of God’s promises is that we can taste and enjoy that rest now, in this life.  In Christ, we enter His rest now which we will someday enjoy for eternity. Rest!

Today, pray over Matthew 11:28-30.  Insert your name for each use of the personal pronoun “you.”  Then tell The Father that you will listen and learn from Jesus.  You will find rest for your soul, not just your legs.