Finding rest in the Lord
His yoke is easy and His burden light.
Jesus said to the crowds: Come to me all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
In the wake of my recent struggles with burnout, today’s Gospel reading (Matthew 11:28-30) affected me with renewed force. I have always loved this passage, but at this particular time in my walk with the Lord, the familiar words seem to take on a deeper significance.
Throughout my life, I have labored under the weight of many burdens. Some imposed from outside. Others that I have, almost without realizing it, laid upon myself. I feel the burden of chronic anxieties and fears. In my frustration and pain I have sought rest in the passing things of this world and have always been disappointed. The words of the Psalmist spring instantly to mind:
My soul, be at rest in God alone, from whom comes my hope. (Psalm 62:6)
To learn from Christ, to rest in Him, is to cast out all fear and worry. To make His humility and meekness (gentleness) my own is to find rest and confidence that the world cannot give. I have yet to allow this principle to truly become the guiding compass of my life. But each day is a new opportunity to take up the gentle yoke of Jesus Christ — his glorious Cross — and begin again.
Find the daily Scripture readings here.
You're right -- each new day is an opportunity to turn to the Lord.