28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30
This is a promise of Jesus Christ to all who are willing come simply come. What exactly is the Lord offering?
Though considered by some to be overbearing and unfair, the Lord's commandments are meant for our benefit. What trouble can stem from loving the Lord with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and from loving our neighbors as ourselves? What burden comes from being under the light of His grace, knowing that we are free from condemnation though we may stumble and fall? Even with his personal struggles, the apostle Paul refers to his life in Christ as a "light affliction" (2 Cor. 4:16).
However, when we view the world's demands and burdens, we see something completely opposite from what Jesus offers.
The world sends us a constant barrage of "have to", "must", and "should" language, full of demands that enslave and bind us. This language of expectation is ever attempting to place us into a mold in which no one can truly fit, and in turn many wander aimlessly, seeking to conform to the way of the world, rather than learning "to be" who they truly are, a child of the Holy God.
Above and beyond the language of expectation, the world promotes a lifestyle that is self-serving. A self-serving approach asks others to constantly meet our needs, and in doing so becomes another source of "have to", "must", and "should" language. This creates a ripple effect that flows out from a source and hurts those stuck in the wake.
Children without parents because the parents felt it better to serve themselves rather than live up to their responsibilities, know what it is to carry the burden of the world. Even the children who "have to" live up to expectations only to meet the needs of the parents know the worldly burden. Families who are weighed down by excessive financial debt know the weight that the world offers, all in attempt to live up to worldly expectations.
In all situations in life, we have a choice. Whom do we choose to serve this day? What burden do we carry?
Food for thought.
