Here is the revelation that is shaping my life today – the way you carry a load determines its weight. The way you carry your life determines how heavy it is.
Matthew 11:28-30 NLT
[28] Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Observation
Rest. It seems we live in an age where rest is a commodity that many seek but few seem to be able to dwell in. The pace of communication has accelerated life to the point where weariness is a constant topic of shared conversation. Rest seems to be equated to the next opportunity for a vacation, but within a week of return, the promised rest is now nothing more than a memory. But here the offer is not of holiday rest, but permanent rest. You see rest is not circumstantial, it is a posture.
When life is lived in a “yoked” to Jesus’ posture then rest is a way of life. Our weariness is not primarily because we work hard, or long hours, it’s primarily a result of how we carry life. It’s the weight of life in our hearts and souls. How we carry our finances, relationships, future, yesterdays, pain, and pleasures. The invitation of Jesus is to take his ways, his approach, and his “yoke” on how you see and look at life. For his ways are easy to bear, and the burden of kingdom life is light in comparison to the burden of life’s story in the way the world tells it.
People often think that following Jesus is a difficult, sacrificial, challenging way of life. And they are right. But it’s how you carry sacrifice, it’s how you carry challenge and his ways. For in the world we carry life alone, but in the Kingdom of God, we are yoked to one who carries the weight of life on our behalf. The posture is rest, rest is the way we carry the stories of life. It’s not holiday rest, it’s yoked rest, it’s a lifestyle of rest. For our whole life is lived in the intimacy of his presence, and in the intimacy of his strength and wisdom. Life is heavy when carried in our own strength, but when yoked to him it becomes light and unburdensome. In His presence and love and mercy and joy, my soul finds a rest that is both supernatural and mysterious, but also glorious.
Application
I will live my life present to his presence, aware of being yoked and not alone. I will not allow rest to be the desired place, but rather a place of my dwelling. My being yoked will be the way I see life, the way I carry life, and I will enjoy life from this posture.
Response
Thank you for the invitation and realty of rest. Thank you that it is not rest I create but a rest that is found in you. Thank you that you invite me to choose to be yoked, it is not a forced posture but an invitation. Thank you that the life you invite me to may not change greatly in circumstances, but I am changed greatly within my circumstances. The way I am is what you focus your attention on, not where I am. I love the rest of your presence.
Meditation
Mediate – you will find rest for your souls.
Consider
How heavy is your life?
Do you know rest? Have you explored this rest with him?
JOURNEY DEEPER
