Witness: Rest in Simple Community - Anabaptist (Matthew 11:28-30)

In the heart of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, there is a small Amish community where time seems to stand still. Picture a sun-drenched afternoon, the sound of horse-drawn buggies clopping down unpaved roads, and the smell of fresh hay wafting through the air. Here, life moves at an unhurried pace, a stark contrast to the frenetic rhythm of our modern existence.

Imagine John Book, a weary detective seeking solace, stepping into this world. Initially bewildered by the simplicity around him, he soon discovers a profound sense of rest. The Amish live out Jesus' invitation in Matthew 11:28-30 with their very lives: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” In their humble homes, adorned with plain wooden furniture and vibrant quilts stitched with care, there is a palpable sense of community—a space where burdens are shared, and joy is multiplied.

As John interacts with this community, he learns about gelassenheit, a German word meaning yieldedness. Here, among neighbors who come together for barn raisings and shared meals, each person is invited to lay down their need for control. They embrace simplicity and trust in one another, creating a tapestry of interdependence that offers a restful alternative to the solitary struggles many of us endure.

In a world that clamors for more—more possessions, more achievements, more noise—the Amish embody a radical peace, a sanctuary for the restless heart. They beckon us to join their community, to find healing together and experience the deep rest that comes when we carry each other’s burdens. This is the rest that Christ promised, a restorative embrace found in the beautiful simplicity of shared life.