Responsibility is something that can weigh heavy on someone. Knowing that it is my job or I am “in charge” of a task and its completion can be overwhelming and seem almost insurmountable.
“30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” – Matthew 11:30 & 29 (ESV)
Jesus declares to get along, we should look to Him for our approach. And when we do, we will be granted rest in the work. I will say that it is a difficult concept to grasp. We are doing work, yet the work is restful?
As I look at the concept, I can only compare it to what some may refer to as being “in the zone” or in a “state of flow”. I watch a lot of sport and witness regularly, an athlete that seems to effortlessly excel. They go on a 10 for 10 hitting streak in baseball or softball, run for 300 yards in a football game, or card a 65 in golf. My youngest son scored 21 points in a basketball game and his highest total to that point was 11. Each of these seemed to complete these easily and when asked, they simply say they were “in the zone”. My son even told me that he wasn’t even getting great easy shots, they were just somehow going in.
As I continue to study and reach for what I know, they were able to complete those feats based on the work they did to prepare and the comfort and love of the work. They admit that when it was all over, they were tired physically and mentally, but the sort of tired that they were eager to do it again. The work was not a burden at all.
When I am doing the work of Christ, I should find comfort and love of the work, and where I may be tired physically and mentally, that tired should make me eager to do it again. That is what is meant, as I see it, when Jesus says “my burden is light”.
When you are working for Jesus, are you tired both physically and mentally? What is your experience with that work and your comfort and love of the work? Are you able to think of the burden of the work being “light”?
Trevor's Thoughts 