Matthew 11:28-30
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
I have a job with the State where I consult one-on-one with pastors and faith leaders assisting them in community development projects. Invariably at some point in these meetings we talk about the challenges of being a faith based leader. And the general consensus is that pastoring is a tough and thankless job. And studies show many pastors suffer from high rates of depression, anxiety and some even have suicidal thoughts.
I know mental health is critical for us all, and I would never make light of anyone suffering because of the rigors of service and dedication. But in each of the conversations I leave this one thought. Jesus declares, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” And if that is true, then the only logical conclusion is, we are doing it all wrong! There’s a better way.
The thought that we are needlessly suffering and unnecessarily struggling is difficult for many of us to fathom. The idea of struggle, turmoil and hardships have been embedded into the culture and consciousness of Christianity. The disciples struggled. Jesus struggled. The prophets, teachers and preachers of old all struggled. Didn’t they?
Yes they did. But there is a decidedly different kind of struggle they endured than what we are seeing today. Jesus didn’t say there would be no struggle. In matter of fact he affirms the fact that His followers would encounter difficulties. The difference is that His yoke is easy. His burden light.
Walking with the Lord doesn’t immune us from hurt. Serving Jesus doesn’t cancel trials and tribulations. In matter of fact, in many cases they intensify. The struggle is real. The grief, hurt, pain and suffering are legitimate. But what’s also real is the grace of God through our Lord that gives us the victory no matter the obstacles. Jesus gives us something no other power can provide. He gives rest to our souls. There is nothing on earth that can compare.
But there is something that can disrupt and destroy that rest. It’s taking on the yoke and burdens of others. And that’s where many leaders error. The call of the herald is to preach the Gospel, feed the sheep, sound the alarm. Ours is a solemn and sometimes solitary place, but one made easy by the presence of the Holy Spirit. And that place is available for every follower, disciple and believer.
The place of true sanctuary is in the Word, the will and ways of God. Learn His Word. Surrender to His will. Obey His commands. Do it His way. Chose the Better Way!
God Bless
