“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”-Matthew 11: 28
I have been given this verse from various people. I’ve hated receiving this verse from various people.
As I read it this morning I still struggled with it so I chatted it out with the Lord to figure out why… What is it about this verse that stirs my heart to discomfort instead of peace?
I started being reminded of people that I have met recently every week telling me their hearts and their stories: sharing with me their brokenness and their sufferings. The Lord was in every single one of those moments providing peace, healing and connection yet I would continue to get into my car on edge…
I would hear these stories of death, illnesses, children suffering, babies being taken away, financial struggles, addictions, divorces, women selling themselves short from what they are made for only to see their hearts shattered and men not seeing their calling and settling for apathy and boredom.
I would hear these stories, I would feel these stories and I would be reminded of my own; of the pain and trials of my own story that is unfair in every worldly sense just like theirs. These things shouldn’t be happening.
And I know why these things happen… it’s because of us. I know it’s because this world is dark and sinful but that still doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t feel the injustice of it all.
- If we never felt the pain of injustice, what would make us ever take action to change it?
- If I never felt mistreated, abused, and neglected by this world and the people in it, how could I ever feel the weight of an innocent mans blood spilling on the ground so a wretch like me could live as royalty…
Injustice needs to be felt.
But it shouldn’t linger.
I would take all of these stories and combine them with mine and let it simmer. Always in the back of my mind how “unfair” this all was and I became so tired. My heart started to dim. My body started to give out. I would try to physically rest but life wouldn’t allow it…
‘I’m not getting this… I’m right here. I’m ready to just rest, I need to just rest! I’ve been asking for it, we all have! What is the deal…’‘You were never meant to hold onto those stories… even your own story you cannot carry yourself so why are you holding onto the ones that really don’t belong to you?’
‘Be still, oh my heart and soul, and know that He is good’
‘For I saved a wretch and made her My Daughter. I wanted you with Me. This life isn’t fair, My Daughter, but I Am just in everything I do. Trust Me once again and let go. Rest.’
