Don’t you ever let up? Why don’t you give me a break. I just need some time off.
There are some things that just appear relentless. Like life and its issues. Understandably we want some relief from the persistent nature of it all.
Jesus offers that relief with these words,
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. (Matthew 11:28-30)
His offer of rest is conditioned on our going to Him. His offer is a swap. My burden that makes me weary, for His that is light. This does not change as long as we remain with Him.
Focus on Him, staying with Him, depending on Him, finding rest in Him draws me from a kingdom of darkness and despair to the Kingdom of hope and light.
The real pain, here, however, is having lived in one kingdom for so long, getting used to living in another is not that straightforward. Losing so much independence, not being in charge, not allowing your former crutches support you where you are. That’s difficult to do when the going gets tough.
To grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ is to commit to a life of His Kingdom having the first place. It’s also to commit to His Kingdom taking residence in all of life. It guides us in peaceful relationship. It steers in righteous behaviour. It influences how we spend time, how we utilise our resources what we think about, what we enjoy.
We put His Kingdom first, we put Kingdom as the standard for all of life and we truly appreciate the rest He offers in this life and the one to follow.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 