Recently I've been in a cycle of striving that has led me to exhaustion. I have been wanting to do all the “right” things, but have ultimately ended up so tired and burnt out. It’s like I think I’m untouchable by the things that go on in the world, but I realize that I am not invincible, however, I am human and rather frail.
When did I start to believe that I am supposed to live in a constant state of striving? Feeling the pressure to be doing all the right things? Saying all the right things?
With the chaos in the world, and the constant conversations about various heavy subjects including race, religion, politics, COVID-19 etc. it is no surprise that we may be experiencing some sort of repercussions. I have tried to understand so many aspects of what has been going on, and it has burdened me. It’s supposed to. But I often forget what to do with it. It’s heavy and a lot to comprehend. So I just keep attempting to grasp it on my own. Until I end up here. But guess what? There’s an answer.
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matt 11:28-30 MSG)
This passage brings me so much comfort. It explains exactly what I’m feeling, making me see that someone knows me. Even before I read this passage, God knows what I need. I am tired, worn out and burned out on religion. Keeping up with religious duties and doing all the “right” things doesn’t fix the issues of the world. It doesn’t fix my emptiness driving me to try and be better. I am not refreshed when I try harder to be good. God says “Come to me, watch how I do it. I won't force you, My grace isn't heavy.” We have been given a real life example of how to rest, how to lay our burdens down, how to be revived. And it doesn’t look like getting drunk or high or getting with someone or working too hard. All we need to do is ask Him to show up, look at Him, watch what He has done and is doing. He is so kind. He gives room for our hurting hearts and longs to take the weight of the pain he died to remove for good.
I thought I was supposed to constantly feel the weight of the world as a Christian. I would read the verse in Galatians, where we are en
couraged to bear each other’s burdens, and think that the “bearing” was weightier, more like a drowning in burdens. Somehow I got it twisted, thinking that I needed to feel heaviness for the oppressed and the poor and the hungry ALL THE TIME. I was wrong. God promises not to put anything heavy or “ill-fitting” on us, but He promises to give us freedom and lightness if we seek Him; if we choose to live in communion with Him. He offers so much more than anything this world could. He doesn’t demand perfection from us. He doesn’t ask us to do the right things, with punishment for failure. He sa
ys His yoke is easy, His burden is light. He says “get away with me”. He promises that if we come to Him, He’ll show up. He’ll show us a place where burdens fall off and rest is real. I want to know that Jesus. I don’t want to be in chains, broken hearted all the time. Who wants that? I want to know freedom, peace, rest, revival of my heart.
I know this Jesus, I know this peace. Sometimes I get distracted and I forget who He is and what He offers, but He is so patient and always welcomes me back to the place where I am seen and known and loved beyond measure; where the chains fall off and I am free.
This is available to everyone. If you're reading this, you can have this light, free life. I pray you experience His Presence like never before.
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