“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden,
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.”
Matthew 11:28-30 (NAS)
I’m tired–really tired. Oh, I know there are many people whose circumstances are much more stressful than mine, but such thoughts don’t bring a great deal of relief when you’re so tired. I’m tired mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Is there any other part of me to get tired? No. That’s all of me there is. I can’t seem to think straight. I’m stumbling around about half the day with very little energy. I could burst into tears’sobs’if I would just let myself. And I’m finding it difficult to apply all of the truths I know because I’m just war-weary. So, that’s my report from the battlefield tonight at 9:30.
That’s my story, yes, but only part of it–MY part. I wake up in the morning thinking, “I just want to stay in bed. I don’t want to face everything that’s in my world today.” But I do get up and get most of the things done that are on my list of things to do and when I finally collapse into bed at night, I am amazed: “I got through the day! How? I was so convinced I’d never make it, but I did!” And I realize once again that Jesus got through the day for me’through me. Oh, He didn’t “carry” me as the poem says, He did it all for me! So for you who doubt the existence of this beloved Jesus of mine, I’m a living testimony of His power, His strength, His gentle care, and His unfathomable love.
You can read the Bible from cover to cover and then declare, “I can’t accept the fairy tale told in this Book and I certainly cannot believe there was a man like Jesus. He is merely a fabrication for people who can’t get it all together’people who need a crutch!” Say what you will. That’s your prerogative. You can deny everything you read, but you can’t deny my experiences. I KNOW He’s real. He brought me through this day and the other traumatic days that have made up my life. I would not have made it had it not been for Him. There’s no way you can discredit what I tell you has happened to me personally.
He invites me to come to Him and tells me that He will carry my burdens for me. He says, “Come and sit down here beside Me, Anabel. I know you’re weary. I want you to know Me. Spend time with Me. I’m gentle. I won’t belittle you or make you feel guilty. I am humble and I won’t intimidate you. I am well aware of what’s going on in your life and I don’t want you to be weighted down with the problems you’re facing. I want to carry those burdens for you. If you will just come to Me and do as I tell you to do, you will find that you are rested and ready to meet tomorrow.” Incredible! He says that to me! And He says the same to you. Do you realize that?
Thank You, Lord, for those very kind words and your obvious concern for me and my welfare. I believe You and I do need You and all You have to offer me. But You know that. You watch over me every moment of the day and are as near to me as my very breath. How I thank You that I have come to believe all You tell me. How empty and frightening my world would be without You.
Without Him I would be nothing.
Without Him I’d surely fail.
Without Him I would be drifting
like a ship without a sail.
Mylon Lefevre