Words from the Rock
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.
Matthew 11:28–30 Message
Religion can really wear a person out. Back when Jesus was ministering, there were a lot of people who felt totally burned out by it. They were weary from jumping through all the religious hoops. They were sick and tired of feeling guilty for being unable to obey all the tedious and often ridiculous laws, and they were fed up with being fined when they didn’t. Yet, when Jesus offered them a break from it all, they were hesitant to accept. And maybe understandably so.
Because they were accustomed to such religious bondage, they were probably worried that they’d be in big trouble if they “strayed” from the religious norm and followed Jesus. They knew that local religious leaders and family members could ostracize them for doing something so radical. And yet eventually many did. And when they followed Jesus, it was like a breath of fresh air. It was like taking off a scratchy woolen jacket on a warm summer day. Or removing a backpack loaded with bricks and leaving it behind.
Jesus offers the same thing to us. He invites us to set down the heavy loads we sometimes carry—whether someone has laid them on us or we just happened to pick them up. Jesus wants us to be unencumbered and to live in a place of rest with him. Does that mean we’ll just sit around and do nothing? Of course not. But what he invites us to do won’t beat us down and wear us out. Instead it will energize and invigorate us.
My Prayer
Dear God,
I do want to give my heavy load to you. I want to learn how to walk with you without being weighed down. Please show me how.
Amen.
Final Word
Those who feel tired and worn out will find new life and energy, and when they sleep, they will wake up refreshed.
Jeremiah 31:25–26 CEV
Stone for the Journey
Jesus won’t load me down with useless baggage.