I regularly get emails from Jesus. Each week, he tells me I am valued and he wants me to come and see him. I have visited him on a number of occasions, and it’s always a blessing when I do. He takes care of my needs. Every time, he reminds me of the “easy way.” The roads are narrow, dangerous and filled with potholes, but he tells me he’s got me covered. If I come to him, I know I will have many adventures, and I will never be disappointed. You see, Jesus is a Hispanic brother of mine who runs a car rental business in Cancun, Mexico. The name of his company is “Easy Way Rent-a -Car.” He rent cars that are somewhat used; in fact, some of them are about used up.

When I go to Mexico, I have learned not to rent a shiny new car. It attracts unwanted attention and screams, “TOURIST!” I need a car that blends into the surroundings, and Jesus has those kinds of cars. Each week, he sends me an email, and it is always titled, “Jesus From Easy Way.” He tells me of upcoming events or new attractions in that part of Mexico.

I have driven many miles in Jesus’ cars. One of the best ways my wife and I can relax and get away from the world’s hustle and bustle is to rent a house in Puerto Morelos, Mexico.  Puerto Morelos is a quick 15 miles south of the airport; it doesn’t have big, fancy hotels; it is just a place where time slows down. There, we get away from the demands of ministry.

On the mission field, I don’t have a day off. Taking care of missionaries seven days a week in multiple countries, providing up to 3,000 beds and 10,000  meals over the summer is a daunting task. When you add in handling worst-case scenarios and sickness, it can take a toll. So my wife and I will take a week off to rest, read, write and pray while enjoying the ocean, food and local attractions. I have used Jesus’ vehicles to get me to the place where I can spend time with the Lord.

I wish I had learned earlier in my life to spend more time in rest and away from the hustle and bustle of life. I was always too busy, never turning down a chance to speak. Then I used the excuse that it cost too much. But I learned too late that the greatest cost of not taking time away was the price my family had to pay.

I am still learning how to take seasons of rest. Having grandsons will help you do that. I was going to do a number of what I had labeled “important things” the other day when my iPhone rang, and I saw three little noses pressed against the screen, grinning and asking, “Poppy, can we have a sleepover?” What seemed so important went by the wayside, and those little boys helped me put things in the right perspective.

I learned this from the Jesuses: Jesus of Easy Way Rent-a-Car is never in a hurry, takes life one day a time and lives life at a slower pace. The other Jesus, the Jesus of “the Way”  told those around Him “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). You see, rest comes in a place and a person. When the two connect, it is pure joy.

I find it incredible that Jesus could rest in the midst of a raging storm.  “A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’” (Matthew 4:37-38).

Jesus doesn’t just offer the regular, run-of-the-mill kind of peace and rest. He will give His peace to those who are deeply troubled, wrestled to the ground by burdens and situations beyond their control. He provides the heavy-duty, industrial-strength peace.  You see, the disciples did the right thing by going to Jesus, but they asked the wrong question. As they were being pounded by the waves, their lives sinking, they didn’t ask for peace; they wanted to know if He cared. But you never have to ask Jesus that question because He has already answered it in 1 Peter 5:7, “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.”

Instead of asking the question they did, they should have awakened Jesus and asked for peace in the midst of the storm.  I know He could have shown them the easy way!