Burdens

Matthew 11:28-30 – 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 soul. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (NIV)

For many of us, today's world is full of burdens — too little time, too little money, too many demands, and too much work. We live frazzled lives and feel burdened down.

As Christians, we often say, "I feel a burden to do this or that". But just how does that burden feel? I think of the statue in Boys Town, near Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.A., the one where one boy has another slightly smaller boy on his back. The caption reads, "He ain't heavy, Father. He's m' brother." How does that boy's burden feel? I also think of the mother who sits up night after night with the sick infant; the spouse who nurses a mate for weeks, months, or years though a serious illness; the friend who takes over for someone who is temporarily unable to watch after their family; or someone who always takes the time to offer encouragement where it is needed. How heavy are these burdens for those people?

Never forget that "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). God's love and Christ's love made the burden of the cross one that Christ chose willingly to bear. And when we truly accept Christ into our hearts, Jesus promises us that his "yoke is easy and [his] burden is light".

Prayer: Loving God, when we have a burden on our hearts, help us remember the ultimate burden that Jesus bore in love for us. Help us to delight in carrying our burden in service of our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

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