Thank you for joining our “14-Day Download of Hope” series.Today, I want to talk about laying down the things that burden you and resting. Jesus said …
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, 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.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NRSV)
Resting used to be such a nice word to me! But because of COVID-19, most of my social life and activities have been shut down and I am feeling a bit “stuck” at home. How about you?
A few of us are fine with social distancing, for most of us, it’s really REALLY hard! We like seeing people! We like going to church! We like having too much to do! Even though we may complain about it, we’re so used to juggling a dozen plates at one time that we’re not sure what to do when life slows down.
Be honest, now. Have you ever thought, “I wish I could just have nothing to do for an entire week!”? I know I have. But … well, I pictured that on a beach in Hawaii … not like this!
Maybe it’s not that our burdens are less because we’ve all been forced to take a staycation … maybe it’s that COVID-19 has shut down all the distractions that keep us from feeling the weight of our burdens. Being home sheds new light on the things that really make us weary-the struggles in our marriage, the guilt we feel when we’re impatient with our kids, the nagging insecurity that no success at our job can take away.
Maybe this entire strange time in our world is giving you and me a chance to face those burdens. Instead of running from them, let’s come to Jesus, lift our hands up, and say, “Here you go, Lord. I’m giving you my marriage, my kids, my house, my job, my fill-in-the-blank, and I’m asking you to show me how to rest in who you are and who I am in you.”
No matter what your burden is, bring it to Jesus and lay it down today … just like Crowder sings in his song “Come As You Are” …
Lay down your burdens
Lay down your shame
All who are broken, lift up your face
Oh wanderer, come home, you’re not too far
Lay down your hurt, lay down your heart
Come as you are
