His recovery program

I'm tired.  I grow weary of constant change.  I'm jaded by people's fickleness.  I'm exhausted by struggling or failing relationships.  I'm worn out from juggling all my hats.  I'm spent, I need rest.  I need help recovering and healing from my life.

In the Message, Matthew 11:28-30 says this: 

^28-30"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."

The NIV says it this way:

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ 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. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Often people quote that verse and then tell you that He will never give you more then you can handle.  When I hear people say that I just want to scream because at that specific moment the person already feels like they can't handle what they have been given, and that's not at all what this verse says.  The verse says that His burden is light, not yours.  The verse says to "Come to Him all who are heavy burdened and He will give you rest." I really like the way the Message puts it, "Get away with me and you'll recover from your life."

We'd all like to take a moment and recover from our busy lives.  We'd like to get away from our problems or troubles just for a little while.  It's one of the best feelings to feel free and unburdened.  We could "soar on the wings of eagles" if we were able to leave our burdens behind, if even for a few moments.

I know I carry my share of burdens and often I carry other people's burdens as well.  For almost two years I carried someone else's heavy burden of guilt and shame, all because it seemed that they weren't interested in carrying it themselves.  That burden along with my own relational burdens really drug me down.  I was at the end of my rope.  I couldn't see the light, but someone reminded me to look up because as I sat at the altar the light was literally in front of me, I just needed to raise my head. 

We all fall short of remembering that He is bigger then our situation.  He is the one in control not us.  We often turn back towards our past when things get ugly but that's what so great about Him.  No matter how far we stray.  No matter how far we run. No matter how impatient we become, He's always there waiting.  The promises don't change.  The love is unconditional and the grace is overwhelming. 

So the next time you're faced with reality, remember that "His burden is light." Turn your attention to your Heavenly Father and remember He is walking with you.