Seeking Rest

By: Kathy Young Deegan

“Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Put on my yoke, and learn from me. I'm gentle and humble. And you will find rest for yourselves. My yoke is easy to bear, and my burden is light." ~Matthew 11:28-30

Lately I’ve been sitting with a simple but weighty question: What am I carrying? And right beside it, another that feels just as essential: Where am I finding rest?

This week, I turned to a visio divina practice that invited me to slow down, breathe, and notice both the burdens I’m holding and the rest I’ve been craving.

Visio divina—“divine seeing”—grows out of the ancient practice of lectio divina. Instead of listening for a word rising from sacred text, visio divina invites us to encounter the Holy through an image. It becomes a way of seeing that quiets the noise and welcomes spiritual rest back into our lives.

Below are the five steps. Grab a journal if you enjoy journaling your reflections.

1. Pause and Reflect

Before beginning, take one long breath. Notice how quickly a single intentional pause can shift your body from tension toward stillness.

2. Reflect on the Image

Next, review these questions:

• What draws my eye first?
• What stirs or settles in me as I look?
• What does this image awaken—memories, longings, places of rest?

Lingering with the image is a gentle invitation to slow down.

3. Reflect on Life

Next connect the image you just viewed to your life:

• How does this image mirror what I’m carrying right now?
• Where am I feeling stretched or weary?
• Where do I need rest—emotionally, spiritually, physically?

Naming these can create just enough space for self-compassion.

4. Reflect on Scripture 

Read aloud Matthew 11:28–30 twice. 

“Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Put on my yoke, and learn from me. I'm gentle and humble. And you will find rest for yourselves. My yoke is easy to bear, and my burden is light." 

Ponder the invitation from the divine to loosen your grip and allow yourself to be supported.

5. Reflect in Prayer

Close with two simple questions:

• What would it look like to invite the divine into what feels heavy right now? 

• What is the honest prayer or longing of your heart today as you seek rest?