US columnist CAROL ROUND, in an article published on ASSIST News Service, on the challenges – and rewards – of obedience to the call of God…
Via ASSIST News Service
Grove, Oklahoma, US
PICTURE: Handiwork NYC/Unsplash
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? 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 (MSG).
Packing. Moving. Unpacking. I questioned, once again, “Why did I have so much stuff?” It’s not the first time I’ve moved in almost 20 years. It’s the sixth time. I know others who have moved more times than I have, and I don’t envy them. I’m still trying to recover from my latest move.
I’ll confess. If I’d had my way, I’d still be in the first place I moved to four years before retiring from my 30-year teaching career in 2001. My post-teaching career plans included freelance writing for area newspapers and continuing my 20-year photography business that exploded when I went digital.
“Each time I’ve moved, it’s been in obedience to His calling on my life. I don’t take it lightly. For someone like me, who was used to being in charge, and thought she was in control of her life, it meant surrendering. Even though I still struggle sometimes, I’ve learned His way is the only way to ‘live freely and lightly’.”
But Jesus had a greater plan for me. That’s the reason behind my many moves. Although it took Him nine months to convince me to move the first time, I’ve learned to say, “I want Your will, not mine.”
Each time I’ve moved, it’s been in obedience to His calling on my life. I don’t take it lightly. For someone like me, who was used to being in charge, and thought she was in control of her life, it meant surrendering. Even though I still struggle sometimes, I’ve learned His way is the only way to “live freely and lightly.”
Surrendering to His will isn’t easy for any of us. We carry heavy burdens. And it’s not just the material stuff we accumulate. It’s the baggage we carry inside of us, the heavy stuff in life – the emotions, past issues we cling to because we don’t know what to do with them. So, we stuff them down deep inside.
We wrap those past issues, like a treasured keepsake and pack them in a tidy box. Then, something happens, and we unwrap and recover them from the depths of our souls. But Jesus doesn’t want us to live tired and worn out, burdened by our hurts, our mistakes, and anything else weighing us down.
Moving, especially as you get older, can wear you out. The last time I moved, in obedience to Him, was almost five years ago. Five years makes a difference when you’re in your late 60s. Before then, I could unpack, organise, and feel settled in my latest abode in less than a month. This time, it’s taking me longer to recover the treasures I packed for safekeeping.
I don’t feel a need to rush. After making sure I’ve unpacked the necessities, I’ve worked on one room at a time. I don’t feel a need to be perfect – to have my life all together, anymore. Those days are behind me – and it’s not just because of my aging body.
As I’ve grown in my walk with Him, I’ve learned what’s important. Jesus doesn’t tell us to “Come all who are perfect,” or “Come all who’ve made no mistakes in life.” He invites us to come as we are. To let go of the burdens we’ve been carrying. To rest in His promises of restoration.
In Matthew 11:28, Jesus invites us “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (NIV).
In exchange for our baggage, Christ gives us a new identity in Him. That’s an amazing exchange. We don’t have to let the past hold us hostage for the rest of our lives.
When we drop our baggage, and accept the rest offered by Christ, we can learn the “unforced rhythms of grace.” Leave your baggage behind and walk into His arms. They are open wide to receive you.
