If 2020 is a marathon then the time span between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is the final sprint. Do the holidays energize you? Or has the stress of this year left you spent and unmotivated? If you answered yes to the second question, you’re not alone. Many people are tired of all the changes, tired of the uncertainty. They’re tired of being tired. They seek relief but don’t know where to find it.
All too often, I admit I carry around heavy burdens of worry and responsibility. Even though I adjust the weight from side to side, I rarely set it down. Instead of releasing some of the load, I pick up more. Does this sound familiar? No wonder so many of us feel exhausted at the end of our day! We saddle ourselves with more weight than we can possibly bear.
But wait. Doesn’t the Bible say that God won’t give us more than we can bear? Not exactly. Scripture actually says this: “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear…he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Temptation is only one type of burden. Life throws this and so much more on us every day.
In truth, sometimes our burdens are heavier and our paths more rugged than we can withstand. A loved one dies suddenly. Our finances crumble. The good health we depend on fails. Our sense of helplessness is overwhelming. We can’t possibly bear these burdens in our own strength. Therein lies the problem.
When we attempt to carry all our worries and responsibilities in our own strength, we fall. But when we hand over our cares to Jesus, he lightens our load. The weight doesn’t disappear. He carries it with us and shows us a better way to handle it. I love the Message Bible version when Jesus entreats the people to give their cares to him.
Are you tired? Worn out? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me-watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.
Matthew 11:28-30 Message
Are you tired of being tired? Look up! Jesus is waiting for you to give all your heavy baggage to him. He’s not intrusive. He won’t grab it from you. You must hand it over willingly. When you release your burdens to Jesus, you’ll experience a freedom and a peace that defy understanding.
But, make sure you resist the temptation to saddle yourself with heavy loads again. I must remind myself of this daily as I try to take on the worries of the world once more. Never relinquish the unburdened freedom given to you in Christ. It’s a gift beyond measure.
