“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
When it feels like the world is bearing down on me with all kinds of stress and pressure, I’m not usually at my best. I want to act like I have it altogether. So, I begin to feel critical or let down, like others aren’t carrying their weight. I might cast a little internal or external blame on another.
When I’ve felt overwhelmed with the needs of others, not giving myself time to rest after caring for another, I physically and emotionally hurt. I think of family caregivers who have to be on 24-7. It’s hard for them to even imagine what free time looks like. For those receiving care, they may feel badly, saying “I don’t want to be a burden.”
I could go on about the burdens we may experience. Jesus’s words were for those who had experienced oppression under Roman rule and law-ridden religion. Jesus’s words are for all of us today who feel worn down or helpless from physical, emotional and spiritual burdens.
Jesus welcomed all those carrying burdens of illness, lack of identity or scorned identity with open arms, just as they were.
What are the burdens that people carry today? Some of those may be cultural, familial, religious or self-imposed.
Jesus offers us rest, just as we are. We don’t have to be perfect. We don’t have to figure it all out all the time.
Let God’s abundant grace and mercy wash over you, just as you are. You are enough. Rest. Breathe in the Spirit’s presence.