Then Jesus said, “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.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

What is important about what Jesus said is what He didn’t say.

He did not say…
…Come unto me all who are weary and carry heavy burdens, unless your burdens are the result of something you did.
…Unless you caused your burdens.
…Unless your burdens are the result of your own bad choices.
…Unless your burdens are from disobedience to God’s Word.
…Unless you came to Me once before with your burdens; and you want a second chance.

O dear God…
…On this day
…At this hour
…At this place

May I simply take You at your Word and trust your promise.

I am weary O God from carrying around the burdens from my own bad choices
And You know, my burdens are not pretty O God
Though You have said my prayers are a sweet smelling incense
I know my burdens are a stench of rubbish that “stinks to high Heaven”

But I will trust
And like I’ve done a thousand times before, I’ll do it again
And I will leave my burdens at your feet

O dear God…
…On this day
…At this hour
…At this place

And I will vow again to take Your yoke
And when people see me and talk to me today
May they not see the person of myself
But may they see a reflection of You
Because I have treated them with kindness, as you did
And I have spoken to them with compassion, as you did
And in spite of being wronged, may I stand with integrity, as you did
Not with pride, but with humility, as you did
And might my presence be a blessing, as you were

And at the end of the day, may I look back on this day
And be thankful to a great and loving God
And rest my head on my pillow
And be at peace

George Thomas Caldbeck penned these words:

Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin?
The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.

Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed?
To do the will of Jesus, this is rest.

Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round?
On Jesus’ bosom nought but calm is found.

Peace, perfect peace, with loved ones far away?
In Jesus’ keeping we are safe and they.

Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown?
Jesus we know, and he is on the throne.

Peace, perfect peace, death shadowing us and ours?
Jesus has vanquished death and all its powers.

It is enough: earth’s struggles soon shall cease,
and Jesus call to heaven’s perfect peace.

In Jesus name, I pray.
Amen

Copyright © 2022 by Skyler Thomas