Reaching the Weary (Lent Devotion) - Monday, April 8
Reaching the Weary
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)
I was recently asked to give the message on the Gila River Reservation in Blackwater, Arizona. As I was praying for the message God wanted me to share with His children, a sudden thought came to me. God knows the issues happening on the reservation. He knows the pain His people are going through. He led me to the Book of Matthew.
We have all, at some point in our lives, been confronted with family issues or personal problems and not known where to turn. In most cases, we try to address the issue with our own intellect which never seems to work out as we plan. As a follower of Christ, we are told to give our burden to God, just as Jesus did when walked the earth.
It isn't easy, and it takes incredible faith and trust, but John 13:15 tells us, “I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you.” When Jesus knew the Jewish leaders and guards were coming to arrest him, he turned to his Heavenly Father and asked Him to take away his burden (if it was God's will). He showed us what to do when we face earthly struggles.
When we follow Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are to give up our worldly thinking and walk the path with Christ as our new master, just as the disciples did. Are you following him? Or are you simply saying you follow him? Do you live for Him every day or just an hour on Sundays?
Our command from Jesus, before he ascended, was to go and make disciples. How are you doing with that? Many of our Native brothers and sisters are struggling with burdens, it is our calling to help them and teach them what Jesus has taught us.
Father, we thank you for your grace and love. Sometimes we forget what it is You would want us to do. Jesus gave us many examples and showed us what you want from us, but we don’t always listen. Too often, we are not able to see you working in others and around us because we see with worldly eyes. Help us, Father, to be better listeners and better seers of your Kingdom. I ask all this humbly in the name of Jesus, Amen.