If you have ever taken a road trip, then you know how pleasant it is to see one of these signs. A rest area sign indicates that there will soon be an opportunity to stretch your legs, take a nap, get some refreshments, or relax for a few minutes before getting back on the highway.
Likewise as we travel the highways of life, we need times of rest and refreshing.
We may be exhausted from too much work, too much arguing and fussing, too much church work, school problems, too many deaths in our family, too many problems with our parents, family and children, too many financial problems, a surplus of friendship complications, too much on our to do list, and too many events in our social calendar. The list goes on, but the point is – we are exhausted!
In Matthew 18:28-30 Jesus beckons us to bring our heavy burdens to Him and exchange it for rest. He also reminds us that what He offers us is much lighter than what we are carrying around. We cannot get rest until we exchange our yoke, our heavy burdens, our frustrations, and the very things that we are holding fast to. Christ has an open invitation for us to get rest, but we are stubbornly holding on to our yokes.
Will you agree to make the exchange? Imagine a car dealership saying “we will take your old beat up car that breaks down all the time and causes you stress and we will exchange it for a brand new car with warranty and with all your maintenance services paid for.”
This is exactly what Christ is offering – our burdens for his easy yoke. His yoke is easy and manageable. His yoke causes no anxiety, no stress. He came to carry our burdens and to bear our sin on Calvary. He has already paid the price and now we can be free. We can take a deep breath and get rest.
What burdens are you carrying around? If it has become heavy and it is starting to weigh you down, decide to exchange it for what Christ offers – Rest for your spirit and soul.
Heavenly Father, there are yokes that I’ve been carrying that I realize You are more equipped to carry. I exchange my burdens and frustrations for your continual rest. Not rest just for today, but rest for tomorrow and the next day, and the next.
Luba
March 26, 2015Thank God for you, Jandi! Thank you for reminding us to always cast our cares on Him.
J.Harris
April 1, 2015Luba, thank you for reading and encouraging me to keep writing!