Life is full of the unexpected. Your entire life can turn upside down with nothing more than a phone call, text message or conversation. It’s in times like these that questions, fears, anxiety, doubt, and depression flood our hearts and minds as though a dam has erupted and the waters are upon us.
What do you do then? When there are more questions than answers? More fear than faith? More doubt than delight? Jesus shows us the way.
“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)
He invites us to himself. Not as isolated individuals but a community of the burdened and broken. In coming to Jesus we see we really aren’t alone.
Yet here is what often happens: We encounter something that frustrates, flusters, or flattens us, and the internal battle begins. The dialogue rolls around in our brains and tension mounts. Teeth are clenched. Breath is held. Headaches ensue. Distractions are sought to ease the mind, but often to no avail. The burden weighs us down.
Our vision is often clouded in these times and here’s what we fail to see; He is already aware of it all. He knows the four letter words and unholy introspection that’s going on. Even then, He says “Come.” He pulls up the chair and asks you to “Cast all your anxieties on him” and this isn’t because God is a mindless soundboard with no responsiveness, but “because he cares for you”. He’s a good Father and faithful friend.
Not only that, He has placed others around us to share the burden. To listen. To learn. To pray. His nearness shows up through our neighbors.
There is no prerequisite to have it together, polish our prayers, and fake it till we fake it. He simply says “Cast it, throw it, launch every last bit of what you are feeling and thinking and wondering my way.” He gives permission to be messy and promises grace. Remember, He already knows.
God demonstrates this most clearly in coming to earth. In Christ, He shows us that He cares enough to come personally and tangibly into our lives. He relates, He knows, He feels our hurts and meets us there.
When the unexpected strikes, we press toward Jesus together in the mess. We can find rest even when we like resolution. We can trust even though the trials persist. He is active, and He cares. He is there in the middle of it all, working for His glory and our good.