Why is this so hard? We get busy, life takes roller coaster turns, our plates become filled, and we become so overwhelmed. Well, I become so overwhelmed. Maybe this isn't a problem many people suffer from. However, if this past year at work is any indication, I know I'm not alone. Truth is, I feel like more and more "overwhelmed" is the response to the question, "how are you?"
Yet, it's so simple. We have the Prince of Peace, God of all things, the Perfect Provider, the Creator of all heaven and earth offering us rest. He says it so simply, "Come to me". And He doesn't pull any punches about who He's talking to either. "All you who are weary (raise hand here) and burdened (raise hand again)." Most importantly He's offering the very thing we're all searching for: "and I will give you rest...you will find rest for your souls." Yet we run in circles like hamsters on a wheel until we just can't anymore. Why?
For me, I think that I've become so used to the overwhelming, that I'm a little afraid of the peace. It sounds so ridiculous even coming out of my mouth, that I'm almost embarrassed to put it into print. I equate it to the story I used to hear as a child about the worn out shoes:
Once upon a time there was a man (I've learned since that it had to be a man because woman are addicted to shoes!). This man wore the same shoes everyday. He was proud of their polished appearance, the general look of success and power the style brought him, something he didn't generally see in himself. When he first got the shoes, they hurt his feet, but once breaking them in the pain subsided some and that showed perseverance and control. Of course, he continued to wear them because he felt distinguished. The man wore the shoes for years and years. The wear and tear on the shoes so extreme that the soles even allowed his feet to touch the concrete as he walked. However, these were his power shoes and with them on he felt strong. One day, a friend noticed his cracked and bleeding feet and offered him a new pair of shoes, but the man wouldn't take them. "New shoes hurt. They never fit quite right," the man said. His friend replied, "These shoes you're wearing must hurt your feet because they're so worn out. Why won't you change them?" His response was simple, "These shoes make me look powerful and I'm used to this feeling." For the man, the pain he knew was better than the pain he didn't and he thought they made him look like more than he felt he was.
I think, at least for me, my chaos is like the old shoes. If I go to bed weary, I did something during the day. If I am overwhelmed than I must have something going on in my life. I must be someone. But that is not what God wants of us. The Christ that faced the anger and futility of a nation and faced death says His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Doesn't even seem possible that those two thoughts could go together. I can't wrap my mind around it, yet here He is telling me that He can teach me how to live a life like that.
We know, as believers, that we are going to face trials and challenges. It's guaranteed in scripture. We know that life is not going to always go the way we want because we're not God and His ways are not our ways. But if the Crucified Christ can look to me and say, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light," the least I can do is listen. Do I believe He is who He says? Do I believe He can do what He promises? If so, then it's time to change my shoes.
Abba, I can be such a stubborn mule, caught in the ruts I've travelled for so long. You are my God and I love You so. Help me today to just take a breath and listen to what you are trying to teach me about peace. As I face any challenges, normal daily annoyances like a busy schedule or big shockers, please teach me and help me find rest for my soul. You make all things new. It is not me who makes it through each day, it is You working through me. Help me never forget that. You make ALL things possible. So at then end of the day if I feel weary and burdened, help me remember that it is only because I'm fighting You. Help me let go and give it to You so You can help me learn to share the load and may I always find my rest in You. Amen.
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