28 “Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. 29 Put on my yoke, and learn from me. I’m gentle and humble. And you will find rest for yourselves. 30 My yoke is easy to bear, and my burden is light.”
Reflection
We live in a fast-paced society that is often shaped by a round-the-clock, go-go-go attitude. But when I read this scripture, I am reminded that even with the busyness of life, God directs us to seek and find rest.
Yet how many adults really rest with ease? Alternatively, I think of the young, who often find rest so easily. The nature of children is that they often have two speeds: “on” and “off.” Furthermore, once asleep, children seem to enjoy their rest in a way that their parents can no longer find rest — having not a care in the world! We should all rest with the ease of little children.
Furthermore, while our yoke is heavy to us, it is through Christ that our burdens are made light. Therefore, when Christ says, “Put on my yoke,” he is saying, “the ways of the world are a struggle, but I will help you.” Even when we are awake, our Creator can and does seek to guide us, just as we guide our children through new and difficult tasks.
The security of a parent’s love teaches our children to count on the adults in their lives. The security pf God’s love is that we can find rest without worry through our trust in God’s endless strength. Jesus is saying, “trust in me and you will find rest.” When we trust the Great Parent to help lift our burdens, we will find rest, just as children find help from their loved ones. Through trusting in Jesus’ words and ways, our burdens are made light. Come and rest with ease like a child of God.
By Barbara Carlson
For Pondering & Prayer
What burdens keep you awake at night? When have you felt God encouraging you to rest? Are you resistant? How might you rest so that you can help support another person in need?
Prayer: Great Parent, we thank you for watching out for us. We know that we can rest in you, yet we often resist because we are afraid to trust in you. Help us to be able to lay down our cares, knowing that you are in control. Guide us to rest with confidence that you not only know our worries but can bear them for us. Teach us when we are awake to release our burdens to you. As you share our yoke, help us to share Christ’s light — that we may in turn share the burdens of others here and around the world. Amen.
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