Sunday, August 11, 2024

Weary and Burdened

By Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter on August 11, 2024

Introduction

I'm feeling a bit weary and burdened today. How about you?

To be clear, it's not necessarily only because of bad things that I feel a little worn out. We're enjoying an active lifestyle, including activities I enjoy, such as pickleball, hiking, and kayaking. But there are never enough hours in the day to fit in responsibilities like keeping up on the work in my yard. I live in Florida now, where weeds grow faster than the national debt, and the weeds in a couple of my gardens were forming a committee to figure out how to take over the house. Weedless to say (sorry, that pun seems awfully funny to me right now, in my tired state), I had to attend to that situation.

Burdened? Well, that's a different story. Not as much fun is involved in making me feel that way, of course. Nothing that many other people aren't undoubtedly experiencing, though--challenges in my kids' lives that I wish I could fix, and job-related stresses.

What am I to do about all of that?

The Invitation

There's Jesus. He's speaking to a crowd, but He looks directly into my eyes (OK, and yours, too) as He says:

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Jesus, in Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

This simple yet powerful statement captures the essence of what Jesus desires for me, for you. But what exactly did He mean by this? Let's take a deeper look at His words and explore the comfort and hope they bring.

An Invitation to True Rest

When Jesus invites us to come to Him, He is not merely offering a break from our busy schedules or a temporary respite from stress. He is offering something far more profound—a deep, soul-restoring peace that can only come from Him. This rest is not just physical but spiritual. It's the kind of rest that heals our inner wounds, calms our anxious minds, and renews our weary spirits.

No Judgment, Only Compassion

One of the most beautiful aspects of this invitation is that Jesus calls us to Him not to judge us or condemn us for our past mistakes or failures. He doesn't ask us to get our lives together or look a certain way before we come to Him. Instead, He meets us where we are, in the middle of our messes, and offers us His grace and compassion. In John 3:17, He reminds us of His mission:

"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

Jesus, in John 3:17 (NIV)

Jesus wants to lift the burdens that weigh us down, not to add to them. He doesn't demand anything in return. He doesn't tell us to get a haircut or dress better or clean up our act in any way. He doesn't even tell us we have to go to church (although once you are in relationship with Him, I think you will want to go to church to praise Him in fellowship with other believers and to be reminded how spectacularly helpful it is to have Him in your corner!).

His heart is full of love and understanding--remember that He led a difficult life while He walked this earth, so He understands our pain, our weariness, our burdens. He stands by, ready to embrace us no matter how far we've strayed or how deep our pain runs. He's there, ready to help us carry all the baggage and garbage with which we have weighed ourselves down.

The Fiery Furnace: The God Who Walks with Us

A powerful example of God's presence and deliverance is found in the book of Daniel. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, they were thrown into a fiery furnace. Yet, amid the flames, they were not alone. King Nebuchadnezzar himself was astonished to see not three, but four men walking unharmed in the fire:

"He said, 'Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.'"

Daniel 3:25 (NIV)

This fourth figure, whom many believe to be a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus, was with them in the fire, protecting them from harm. Instead of lamenting their situation, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego praised God for His presence and deliverance. Their story is a powerful reminder that when we are in the midst of our own fiery trials, Jesus is with us, helping us endure and ultimately leading us to victory.

The pastor at church this morning pointed out something about this story I had never considered before: the story goes on to say that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire unharmed. But it fails to mention that Jesus came out of the fire.

Why would that be? Maybe because He is still in the fire, waiting for us to need His help!

God's Desire to Rescue and Restore

Throughout the Bible, we see countless examples of God's desire to rescue His people. In Psalm 34:17-18, for instance, we are reminded of God's readiness to deliver those who turn to Him:

"The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Psalm 34:17-18 (NIV)

God's heart is always inclined toward rescue and restoration, not judgment. He seeks to draw us close, to comfort us in our distress, and to lift us out of our despair. This is further emphasized in Isaiah 41:10, where God promises His presence and help:

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

Conclusion: Embrace the Invitation

Jesus' invitation to "Come to me" is open to all who are weary and burdened, offering a refuge from the storms of life. He doesn't require us to have it all together or to be free from struggles before we approach Him. Instead, He invites us to bring our burdens, our fears, our failures, and our doubts to Him, knowing that in His presence, we will find the rest and restoration we so desperately need.

As we face our own challenges and fiery trials, let us remember that Jesus is with us, walking beside us, offering His strength, peace, and love. Let us take comfort in His promise that He will give us rest—not just for our bodies, but for our souls. And as we experience His rest, may we find the courage to praise Him even in the midst of the fire, knowing that He is our ever-present help in times of trouble.