Daily Bread

"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, 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 chose to follow Jesus and, like the other gospels, his gospel presents this choice to his readers. It is an invitation into a new way of life, founded by and found in Jesus Christ. Matthew, repeatedly, communicates the heart of God — God's longing for us to enter this relationship with the creator — the free gift of forgiveness and acceptance, and the becoming 'one' with God through the Holy Spirit.

Repeatedly, we find ourselves being tugged at and pulled at by the world — through our physical and mental health, circumstances, experiences, being hijacked by our own thoughts, the weight and burden of expectation, the pressing need to keep beans on the table and a roof over our heads — the list goes on. No matter our age, we can feel tired and old beyond our years.

We long for peace and harmony, to be accepted, loved, pain and worry-free, and most of us look to the world to fulfil our deepest needs. If only I had a good job? If only I had enough money? If only I didn't suffer with this issue? If only she hadn't died? The truth is that life is difficult and at times 'sucks'. We all experience pain and suffering, bereavement and loss, and circumstances beyond our control that are not fair, right, or just.

Sometimes life is truly heartbreaking.

The world tells us we have two choices. The first is to give up, throw in the towel, and either try to escape this world and its pain or numb ourselves to it. The second is to grit our teeth and plough in in our own strength, trusting in our own ability to overcome. Yes, there is strength and determination to be found in all of us if we are able to muster it, but sometimes we just can't. There is no proverbial 'pulling up our own socks' and 'sucking it up'. Life can be too much.

God, in her loving, parental compassion, offers us a third way, and this is why today's Bible passage has been memorised and recited by millions, possibly billions, of Christians down through the ages. It has been tried and tested and proved to be true.

Jesus invites us to be 'yoked' to him.

The yoke was the wooden bar that crossed the shoulders of two cattle working side by side. When one became weak, lame, tired, or fatigued, the other would carry the burden. Jesus wants to carry our burdens. Jesus wants to give us the rest for which we so desperately long.

Holy God
You know how I long
for rest in my soul,
and how desperate I am
to find inner peace.
Today, I turn to you,
and lean into you.
Please carry my burdens
and give me hope
for today and for tomorrow.