"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30
God offers to ease our burdens by giving us different burdens, and before we actually try things God's way, that can seem silly. It's still a burden, right? And yet, in offering us a yoke, God is effectively offering to bear our burdens with us, to share the load, and also strengthen us so that we can bear our burdens with ease, and even cheerfulness (Mosiah 24:15).
We sometimes approach the Gospel comparing it to what we want to do or the sacrifices that we might have to make, and when we're torn by wanting to do other things or not wanting to give up what God has asked, it can seem really hard. Until we actually start working together with God on things, we don't always realize that all of it is about making life (and eternity) better, and bringing us joy. Every limitation or rule brings freedom, and working with God makes our lives (and the world) better, rather than leading us down into drudgery.
Everything that God does is designed to help us. That doesn't make it easy to let go of our pride and other weaknesses, but perhaps it can help us understand what we are working towards, and what we can hope for. God isn't just trading one burden for another--he is offering to make our lives better than they ever could be without him, and to help us find the missing ingredient to being our best selves. Today, let's accept his offer and work with him on our lives, and find rest for our souls.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30
God offers to ease our burdens by giving us different burdens, and before we actually try things God's way, that can seem silly. It's still a burden, right? And yet, in offering us a yoke, God is effectively offering to bear our burdens with us, to share the load, and also strengthen us so that we can bear our burdens with ease, and even cheerfulness (Mosiah 24:15).
We sometimes approach the Gospel comparing it to what we want to do or the sacrifices that we might have to make, and when we're torn by wanting to do other things or not wanting to give up what God has asked, it can seem really hard. Until we actually start working together with God on things, we don't always realize that all of it is about making life (and eternity) better, and bringing us joy. Every limitation or rule brings freedom, and working with God makes our lives (and the world) better, rather than leading us down into drudgery.
Everything that God does is designed to help us. That doesn't make it easy to let go of our pride and other weaknesses, but perhaps it can help us understand what we are working towards, and what we can hope for. God isn't just trading one burden for another--he is offering to make our lives better than they ever could be without him, and to help us find the missing ingredient to being our best selves. Today, let's accept his offer and work with him on our lives, and find rest for our souls.
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