This month’s encouragement to the Women of YFC comes from Ruth Berger. Ruth has served more than 40 years with YFC alongside her husband Ron, in such diverse places as Alaska USA, Germany, UK, Estonia, and France. They currently serve on the YFCI Global Engagement Care Team, live in North Idaho, and open their home to provide a quiet place for YFCI workers seeking a time of rest and renewal in the Lord.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Come to me,  all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  (~Matthew 11:28 NIV)

These words of invitation spoken by Jesus so long ago are as precious to me now as they were when I first heard them as a child. “Come to me….”   with all my stuff, and find rest! What could be more compelling?

As I write, we’re in the midst of breaking up the nest for another move.  God has called us around the world and back, and though we’ve set up housekeeping in more than two dozen other locations, I’ve been finding this move the most daunting. Perhaps it’s because this home was the fulfillment of a vision and has been a place of refuge and inspiration not only for us but for MANY weary brothers and sisters who have come here for a time of peace, rest and renewal. Even though God has clearly called us away from here, my heart has cried out with the Israelites, in Exodus 33:15, “If your Spirit doesn’t go with us, we don’t want to leave this place.” 

Moving is hard work for body and soul!   I confess:  I have been more than a little stressed, even with great effort to follow Paul’s words to the church in Philippi…  “Do not be anxious about anything”….(~Philippians 4:6 NIV)

Our God is good to His promises!   He has graciously replaced my anxiety with confidence in the calming presence of His Spirit.   He has encouraged us through His people speaking words of affirmation and assisting with the physical labor.   Once I cast my heavy burden on Jesus, He took it away and renewed my energy.  The joy of the Lord, even in this transition, has been renewed!  Praise the Lord!

“Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you.”  (~1 Peter 5:7)

What burdens are you carrying today?  What is your weary soul longing for right now? Are you casting your cares and anxiety on Him, and praying about everything?  He is the same God who said to His children Israel,  “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you.”  (~Isaiah 41:13 NIV)

JESUS says “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (~Matthew 28:20b NIV)

Ruth Berger
Global Engagement Care Team Member
rutheberger63@gmail.com