For Those who are Tired

My paraphrase of Matthew 11:28-30

“Hey! Hey, You! Yes, the one who is exhausted from standing on your feet for ten hours! You, the one who has a job and also a family that needs your care for another ten hours after the job. And you, over there. You are taking care of your sick parent. Doing all those extra errands and making sure they have all the love that they gave you (or maybe they didn’t). You who care for those that no one else will. You over there. You pray for so many who may never know – but you call on my Name and I hear and answer. Come to me – all of you – and I will give you the rest you need. I will take your burdens and exchange them for the burden that I do want you to carry. Learn from me. Here I am, totally human and yet totally God. Learn from me how to be humble and rely on God for your strength. Be a servant like me. You will find out that your shoulders won’t hurt and your head won’t ache and your heart will not be heavy when you rely on me and rest in me. When you wake up and take up only cares that I give you, you will find our joining easy and the cares seem light.”

I went to work yesterday and three people remarked that I looked “lighter”. I should not have been surprised at that because I had a ‘God-breakthrough’ last night. I laid down on my bed, plumped the pillows around, pulled the quilt over myself, and laid my head down. And sighed. And the picture of laying my head on Jesus’ lap came into my mind. And then I just – briefly – laid all the ‘stuff’ of my day down. It felt like Jesus gently stroked my head. I fell asleep. When I woke up this morning, my first thought was how well I felt. My morning conversation with God was about what He wanted me to do today. Yes, it was no surprise that I looked better today!

Jesus does not say that I am not to carry any burdens. He does not say that my day will be void of any burdens. He is here to walk with me through the day – yoked together – and so my cares do not become overwhelming. Whether in practical tasks or prayer, I am not to feel overburdened or overwhelmed because God wants me to release them to Him.

Jesus is calling me. Jesus is calling you. Jesus first thought in the morning or the last thought at night. Oh, to make that my routine is a recipe for a good and healthy life!

“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and I myself may be in them.” John 17:25-26 (NIV)

As you lay down tonight, receive the love of the Father.