“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Mat 11:28)
Today is the 4th of July in which we celebrate the freedom of our country. Yet how many of us are walking around in this free country not truly free? We are so heavily burdened with the trials of life; feeling trapped in a difficult job, marriage, situation….
Burdens come in all shapes and sizes; some are small and annoying; others are huge and painful. As you journey through life what’s in your backpack? What’s robbing your freedom to enjoy life to the fullest? Is it:
Problems
What unresolved issues, what decisions, what solutions are you worried about? Whether it’s money, relationships, work issues, family hardships—you name it—we all have them to some degree. There are as many problems as there are stars!
Sorrows
Perhaps it’s a heartache that’s weighing you down—the loss of a loved one (I certainly know what that’s like); the loss of your home, job, relationship. Grief can certainly sap our energy. There are many kinds of hurts and sorrows.
Regrets
Maybe you’re loaded down with regrets; failures. Mistakes you’ve made in which you are now paying a heavy price.
Actions of others
Or could it be the mistakes of others; sins committed against you? That weight of hurt can be huge. And if you haven’t forgiven—bigger still!
Unrealistic Demands
Another type of burden are unrealistic demands from others—your boss, family….
Jesus spoke the words above to an oppressed group of people under the yoke of traditions and nit-picking rules imposed by religious leaders.
Legitimate
Some burdens are legitimate: the responsibility of taking care of kids, husband, job, or a ministry. Perhaps it’s a God-given burden for someone—where you feel burdened to pray or act on their behalf. Many ministries are born from an aching heart for a group of needy people–like rescue missions for the homeless, or crisis pregnancy centers for women considering abortion.
But if we’re not careful even these genuine responsibilities can weigh us down.
Guilt
Possibly the biggest burden you have is one of guilt and shame; hiding all the dirt of your past (or present) from others as well as yourself. Yet the overbearing weight of shame is still there, day in and day out; too ashamed to admit your sin.
Is there no hope for us? No relief?
Of course, there is! We do not have to remain heavy-laden. The answer is found in the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Please join me in this series of finding relief from your burdens. Meanwhile, meditate on these verses; think about what some of your heaviest burdens are, then anticipate the
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh what a relief it will be when you learn how to lighten your load!
Scripture taken from The Holy Bible: New International Version®. NIV. ® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.