“The burden of Jesus is not a weight that crushes but a gentle hand that steadies and stabilizes our steps.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – July 15, 2023
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30, ESV
Left to ourselves, we do not default to a restful and gentle way of life. It is easy for us to be overcome by anxiety, weighed down by the challenges and demands of life. And often, it isn’t the extreme sorrows or impossible burdens that weigh upon our souls but the everyday annoyances, the mundane trials that creep into our hearts and unsettle our spirits. This kind of burden can often go unnoticed, pressing upon us for months or even years before we realize the toll it has taken.
Jesus invites us to learn a different way of life, living every day by the unhurried rhythms of his grace. And just as the burdens we carry are often small and unseen, so too must we learn from Jesus and find rest for our souls in the comings and goings of everyday life.
In many ways, it is difficult for us to think of a burden in a positive sense. We are meant to unburden ourselves and live as light and free creatures! How can a burden, even a “light burden,” be a blessing? Remember this: the burden of Jesus is not a weight that crushes but a gentle hand that steadies and stabilizes our steps.
Here’s a simple example that comes to mind. I recently found myself on a very busy train with my young son as we were headed to a soccer game. Packed in like sardines, he was both overwhelmed and disoriented in countless ways. As such, for the entire train ride I stood right behind him, with my hand pressed upon his shoulder, serving to both guide and reassure him of his safety and ability to be at peace, even in an overwhelming situation.
In my own life, this is how I have most often received the burden of Christ that rests upon me. Even in the chaos and confusion of daily life, he draws near and places a gentle yet steadying hand upon my shoulder, reminding and reassuring me that, no matter what may come, he is with me, and therefore I am safe. And not only safe, but set free to embrace a gentle and lowly life in the midst of a world that is overrun by anxiety and deep insecurity.
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3, ESV
Prayer
Father, teach us the gentle and lowly way of Christ, that we may find rest for our souls and encounter the joy of following him into the way of peace. Amen.
Application
Reflect for a few moments on a few ways you have encountered the “light burden” of Jesus in the everyday rhythms of your life.
Related Reading
Jeremiah 6:16; 1 Peter 2:18-21; 1 John 2:6
Worship Resource
John Michael Talbot: My Yoke Is Easy
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