A Call for the Burdened

It is always right to rely on God. There are plenty of ways that we can ask God for help. Whether it’s a decision that we need guidance for, asking for assistance on how to love more fully or anything that we can ask of God to give us wisdom and guidance. The examples are never-ending and our God is, in fact, never-ending in His love for us.

This Sunday’s Gospel clears that up even more for us. There are times where I tend to approach God only when it comes to making difficult decisions. Whether they are worldly, familial or involve my faith life, I have a habit of asking God to make His intentions clear for me and to give me the strength to do it. While I think there is something very good about this, this Gospel indicates that God’s aid doesn’t stop there.

Our loving God doesn’t just give answers to the difficult questions, but He is also our Father who brings us peace. He is our Father who loves us so much, that he is willing to be with you step by step in your lives.

Because of God’s personal relationship with us as our Father, we should also reach to him in moments of anxiety and fear. Our God doesn’t just want to give us the wisdom to seek holiness, our God created us so we can be at peace with Him for all eternity. Encounters with God aren’t simply an aid to do what is right, but these encounters are strong glimpses of Heaven, which is eternal peace with Him.

When Jesus says “For my yoke is easy, and my burden light,” it is not just Him expressing that life just becomes easy when you follow and learn from Him, but rather, He is expressing His eternal assistance and His eternal gift of peace. He offers you a glimpse of heaven. He offers you His own example of unconditional love.
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A holy life is not avoiding real life. Fear and anxiety is unfortunately a part of our world. When Jesus asks us to learn from Him, we see a shining example of one who overcame fear, anxiety and pain to save the world. It might be safe to say that holy lives will always have examples of fear and pain, Jesus is a glaring example of that. 

Jesus doesn’t express that anxiety and fear is sinful, but rather, He shows that He is greater than these. He shows that when life seems at its most difficult, your God is there to comfort and assist you. He is there to give you glimpses of heaven. He shows that this is not the end. And somehow, he shows that suffering can sometimes help us to love others in the way He did. When trials seem never-ending, God shows you that His love is even greater than that.

God Bless,

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Brett Becker
Youth and Young Adult Minister 

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