"Brief Devotions For Busy Lives" by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson: Matthew 11:28-29

 February 5

"Come to me, all you who are weary and weighted down with care, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you and become like me, for I am gentle and without pride, and you will have rest for your souls;..." -Jesus in Matthew 11:28-29 (BBE)

Have you ever been weary and exhausted? It not only affects our performance but can also bring depression and despair. When life seems to be a bit too much, Helen Steiner Rice (1900-1981) can be a practical source of both good advice and consolation. She was a noted American writer of religious and inspirational poetry. Her deeply Christian writings and faith can calm our minds and inspire our souls. Concerning healing for the weary and burdened, Helen Steiner Rice writes:

"On the wings of prayer, our burdens take flight,

And our load of care becomes bearably light

And our heavy hearts are lifted above,

To be healed by the balm of God's wonderful love."

This beautiful poem points us to Jesus and his promise in our text today to grant us rest in weariness and free us from heavy burdens. What can these burdens look like we may wonder? They can include (1) sin, (2) excessive demands, (3) oppression and persecution, (4) weariness from difficulties life brings, and (5) stress and fear. Yet Jesus can free us from all these burdens. The rest Jesus promises brings us love, healing, and peace with God. A relationship with Jesus can change meaningless, wearisome toil into spiritual productivity and purpose. Helen Steiner Rice put it this way" “when things seem too heavy to bear, when life seems to be sending you down roads you don’t know. Trust that the God can carry the load for you and lead you on to where he needs you to be." Yet even when God leads us in mysterious ways, we still need to trust Him.” Or as that wonderful song "You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban says:

"You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains

You raise me up to walk on stormy seas

I am strong when I am on your shoulders

You raise me up to more than I can be."

Prayer: Jesus, Thank you for healing my weariness. Amen.

Meditation For The Day: God can carry my stresses and messes.

Brief Devotions For Busy Lives: Daily Winter Renewal Paperback – November 25, 2017, by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson (Author)