Apr. 10, 2012

Matthew 11:28

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

So, I missed doing yesterday’s blog. I had good intentions. But after a full Holy Week, Easter weekend and a large funeral yesterday, I was wiped out. A nap won out over the blog. After the nap, every creative bone in my body was still tired. Just thinking of getting my fingers to glide over the keyboard keys was not working. Instead, I took a soak in the tub and let the bubbles surround me. No reading in the tub, which I usually do. My brain could not take one more piece of information or any more stimulation. And then I went to bed.

Jesus’ words may seem strange. How can Jesus give us rest? He can’t take a nap for us. Does he give us a well-time shot of energy? This is how I think of this verse. Jesus is like the safety net at the circus. You know, the net below the high-rope walkers or other acts high off the ground? It’s the net that catches the acrobats if they fall. The net is there to catch them safely rather than hitting the hard ground.

Jesus doesn’t promise to remove every challenging day or week or nail-biting situation. What Jesus does promise is to catch us and hold us safely as we journey through long and arduous days. When we feel burdened, we can offload some of our baggage into his arms and he will help us sort through it. The situations will still be there, but we can find rest in knowing we do not have to handle them all alone.

I woke up this morning knowing that there are lots of things to do this week. I don’t have our taxes done yet. (I know … I’m running out of days. The partially gone through stuff stares me in the eye every day.) There’s another memorial service this Saturday to prepare for. And it’s Confirmation Sunday! Jesus has a safety net all around me. I just need to trust in his desire to keep me rested and safe. The rest will work out.

Let us pray: Just a closer walk with thee, grant it, Jesus, is my plea. Daily walking close to thee: Let it be, dear Lord, let it be. Amen.

Blessings –

Dianne