Sophomore Class Chaplain Daniel Shearer shared a powerful message during chapel about finding true rest for our souls, drawing from Matthew 11:25–30. In a world that often feels overwhelming, it's easy to think that if we had more time or fewer responsibilities, our problems would disappear. We often find ourselves caught up in the busyness of life, using stress or fatigue as excuses to neglect spiritual practices like Bible reading or attending church. Daniel reminded us that the real solution isn't more time or less work but finding rest in Jesus Christ. 

The main idea of his message was how we can find rest for our souls through Jesus, emphasizing five key points: Come to the King, Come as children, Come with your burdens, Come and take, and Take and rest. 

First, Daniel highlighted the importance of coming to Jesus, the King. In Matthew 11:27, Jesus claims equality with the Father, revealing that He is sovereign over all things. "Just thinking about who He is as King is enough for us to come to Him," Daniel said. Jesus is not only all-powerful but also all-loving, offering an open invitation to anyone seeking rest. Daniel emphasized that Jesus has the authority to meet all of our needs and that we are called to surrender our entire lives to Him, not just parts of them. "You are desperate, in need, and weak on your own," Daniel reminded us, urging us to come to Christ because only He can satisfy the deepest longings of our souls. 

Next, Daniel focused on coming to Jesus as children. Jesus calls us to approach Him with the simplicity and trust of a child. He is not a distant, harsh ruler but a loving Father who cares for us deeply. In the same way that a child runs to their father for comfort, we are to run to Jesus in our times of need. 

Daniel also encouraged us to bring our burdens to Jesus. Life can be full of stress, anxiety, and sorrow, but Jesus calls us to bring these burdens to Him. Jesus, full of compassion, offers us hope and peace in exchange for our weariness. Daniel challenged us to consider where we go when we feel burdened — do we turn to Jesus or seek distractions like social media or entertainment? "We come because Christ called," he reminded us, encouraging us to lean on Jesus rather than seeking temporary escapes. 

Finally, Daniel spoke about coming to Jesus to take rest. The rest Jesus offers is not physical but spiritual. It is the deep assurance and hope that we find in the Gospel. Circumstances may not change immediately, but rest for our souls can be found in Christ alone. "Rest for your souls is the assurance and hope that we can find in Christ," Daniel said. When we draw near to Jesus, He gives us the peace that surpasses all understanding, even when life’s challenges remain. 

True rest is found not in escaping our responsibilities but in coming to Jesus with all of our burdens. As we turn to Him, we can experience the rest and peace that only He can provide.