We are in a sermon series called The Chosen. The main message from last week is that, like Mary Magdalene, we are known, loved, and chosen by God. When we embrace this truth and have a personal encounter with Jesus, our lives are forever changed. The life changing factor between our before and our after is our personal encounter with Jesus. After the encounter with Jesus, we experience rest for our souls. This rest for our souls applies even though we may be exhausted. As we celebrate Black History Month of February, we know the trials some face in a life knowing people are going to hate you, demean you, and mistreat you because of who you are. We remember the African American response of resilience, perseverance, determination, and faith in God. That faith in God allows some of us to keep walking the road with trials, like potholes and fallen branches on the road of life. God is our Protector, our Redeemer, our Sanctifier, our Liberator, and the Source of Peace and Rest for our Soul.