TIRED AND BURDENED

Matthew 11:28-30

Come to Me, all you who are labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30, NKJV

As we navigated the waters of COVID-19, social distancing and, yes, masks, and the emotional roller coaster of ever-moving targets of health and safety in our communities, there's one word I would use to describe my state of mind: “tired." Tired of the fear-driven state our country has been in for so long! I'm emotionally, physically, and even spiritually drained some days by it.

In these verses Jesus use the picture of farmers who would take an inexperienced ox and pair him with an older ox, and they would be "yoked" together as they pulled the plow side by side. This was so the older ox would set the pace for the younger ox, keep him on track, and teach him how to do the work properly. The older ox would do the heavy lifting until the younger figured out how to plow alongside him and become experienced, not going off course, or burning himself out before the work is finished.

In these verses Jesus calls us to be the younger ox, and He is the one setting the pace, keeping us on track and teaching us the work all the while doing the heavy lifting as we learn alongside Him. This is a beautiful picture of Jesus as He teaches us and trains us to do the work of ministry as we minister to our friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors.

If we are becoming overburdened, burnt out, or off course, we may have tried to take the lead away from Jesus, and in doing so, we bear the brunt of the work that Jesus is willing to take on for us. I would suggest that we haven't learned to come under Jesus as the mature, older ox. So if you're feeling burdened and heavy, as I have felt some days, I would remind you that Jesus is the one who sets the pace and keeps us on track. If we're feeling heavy, we aren't allowing the older ox to do His job and teach us, because if we did, the yoke would be easy and the burden would be light as we learn how to do the job correctly side by side with our Lord.

Let's lean not on our own understanding but allow Jesus to lead us in ways that refresh us and teach us and care for our soul. When we're yoked with Jesus, we move together with Him. We move in the same direction and at the same speed. And we move in the right direction and at the right speed. In need of rest for your weary soul today? Jesus is the answer!!!

Father, thank You for this day and Your strength to press on through it. Lord, let Your abundant blessings be our family's portion today. Lord, help us to face the challenges that we must confront. Lord, give us thankfulness for all that You have done to bless us. Lord, give us clarity to see that living for You is the best of all choices. Lord, thank You that You give us true rest for our soul and pertect peace in our heart-and that in the midst of any storm Your peace that passes all our understanding. Lord, give us the clarity to deal appropriately with those we meet today.

Father, we love You. Amen.