When You’re Weary
When You’re Weary
Every once in awhile I daydream back to the days when I was a young child with sturdy, active legs beneath me.
There were so many memorable times with our extended family and friends: camping trips at the beach, picnics along the river, backpack adventures in the mountains.
I remember one particularly long hike with my dad and his friends when I was barely six years old. I scrambled to keep up with the adults, but my little legs—healthy as they were—could only carry me for so long.
I was so weary. So burdened. I remember how thankful I was that my dad and his companions were such big, strong, grown-ups. They would have no trouble carrying a little tyke like me on their broad shoulders.
When my dad finally reached down and slung me on his back, I breathed a huge sigh of relief. I wouldn’t have to worry … he was strong enough to carry us both.
That memory calls a much-loved Scripture to mind:
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30).
Does anything in that statement strike you as … odd?
It seems strange that we don’t hear Jesus saying, “Look at Me. Look how big and strong I am. Look how powerful and robust. Notice how dominant. I’m hardy enough to take on your load. Lean on Me because I’m so strong.”
No, instead we hear Him saying “Come to me … for I am gentle and humble in heart.”
That’s certainly not the message we hear from the world around us. It’s the strong, the unwavering, the assertive—those who never shed a tear or admit a weakness—who are portrayed as the competent, capable load-bearers.
The Bible says differently. God’s Word reminds us that humility, gentleness, patience, kindness, and goodness tower head and shoulders above the proud, macho stuff. It is the humble and the gentle to whom we find ourselves drawn when we feel burdened or weary. Somehow we know these are the folks who genuinely care, who actually pray. These are the ones willing to come alongside and help shoulder our load.
That’s why the words of Jesus are so compelling. He is strong … but He’s also approachable. He is able to carry our load … But He’ll never make us feel embarrassed or defeated for asking.
Are you weary? Weighed down? Exhausted from the journey?
“Cast all your anxiety upon him, because he cares for you.”
A fisherman named Peter penned that simple prescription for anxiety and exhaustion almost twenty centuries ago.
No one has improved on it since.