Not long after my 8-day retreat, I was listening to Pray As You Go. It opened with this song, and I was invited to reflect on these words of Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30:

“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.”

Then I was invited to become aware of the burdens I carry. I thought about a sad loss, my inability to be present at times, the constant temptation to overeat, my autistic and ADHD tendencies, and how hard it is when my values are not supported by others.

The same Jesus that I have asked to “take and receive my life” was now asking me to let him have my burdens too. He promises to carry them for me and walk with me in them.

I was reminded of church that Sunday. For the month of July, we had intergenerational worship. During the activity which was in place of the sermon time, each small group was given a scripture reference, asked to find the good news in it and write it on one of the colours of the rainbow on the bulletin board.

I leaned in to hear seven-year-old Sommy read John 14:15-17. We talked about the verses, and Sommy volunteered to be our scribe. Slowly and carefully, he wrote these words on the bulletin board, “We will be given a helper that will be with us”

I said, “Then you put a period.”

He shook his head and said and added “forever” to the end of the sentence.

We have been given a Helper who is with us always and forever. And that Helper is asking us to lay our burdens down and receive rest moment by moment, day by day.

For Jesus is not some high priest who has no sympathy for our weaknesses and flaws.
–Hebrews 4:15a (Voice)

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Love Mischief for the World

Leslie Jordan & Jon Guerra of The Porter’s Gate sing You Hold It All. As you listen to the lyrics, what stands out for you? How is God helping you now? What do you notice going on in you as you take and receive that help?

What love mischief are you and God doing for the world?
Let me know, and I will include it in an upcoming post.

Credits and References:
“Resting” Paindane Beach, Inhambane, Mozambique by F Mira. Used with permission.
“Helping Hand” by Photo by sasint from Freerange Stock. Used with permission.

© Esther Hizsa, An Everyday Pilgrim, 2023.
The unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without permission from Esther Hizsa is prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used provided there is a link to the original content and credit is given as follows: © Esther Hizsa, An Everyday Pilgrim 2013-2023.  http://www.estherhizsa.com