Finding Rest
Mary Elder-Criss
It is very dark now, and I am becoming weary. My burden is extremely cumbersome, and the road I am traveling suddenly seems much more difficult. It has narrowed greatly. At certain times along the path, I have had to stop and lighten my pack to be able to continue walking. I stagger onwards, bent over under the weight, trying to find a place of rest.
As daylight dawns again, I find myself unable to go on without stopping for a short while. Once more, I shrug the bag off my back, and I lay all the items out beside me on the grass by the side of the lane. As I survey the contents, I am astounded. How could there be so much stuff in here when I had just emptied it a short time ago?
I was sure I had discarded Anger, yet I see that there is still a fragmented piece left of it, and it has grown larger. As I pick up an object, and examine it, I recognize the product being from the small seeds of Envy I have carried. No wonder my bag has grown so burdensome, I still see Confusion and Doubt in here as well. I was positive I had given those up for good. Oh and here are the Family Problems, and the Financial Worries. They are extremely heavy, yet I cannot seem to leave them behind. The longer I have carried them, the larger they have become. They now seem to consume the biggest portion of my baggage. Health Concerns? Yes, they are here too. My bag seems to have grown quite a bit since the last time I checked. But which of these truly, can I discard? If I don’t continue to carry them, who will?
I sit for awhile longer, and I consider the miles still to be traveled before I reach my destination. Do I really want to pick these items back up and carry them some more? Will any of them make my pilgrimage easier?
I still remember the beginning of my journey well. I started out with Trust and Faith. When did I begin to pick up these other items that I now see spread out in front of me? Are they souvenirs acquired from the places that I strayed from the narrow path? As I survey them a bit longer, I bow my head in disgrace. I realize that I can no longer find Faith. The other items have caused it to become lost, somehow. Trust? Where is it? I get up, and search through the bottom of the bag desperately, hoping it might still be lodged in the corner somewhere, overlooked. Finding nothing but a small crumb of Despair, I drop the pack at my feet, and fall to my knees.
“Lord!” I cry in a loud voice. “I am tired, Jesus, and need rest! I do not know how I came to replace the Trust and Faith in You with all these other unwanted items. All I know is that I can no longer go on walking this narrow path with this weight on my shoulders. I need You Lord! Please take this burden from me. I give it to You, Jesus. I cannot go on!”
Raising my head, I look around me in awe. The baggage I had been carrying has disappeared. I pick up the pack and look inside. It is empty save four things. Faith and Trust have been restored. Along with them, a third blessing has appeared. Peace. I embrace it gladly. As I look deeper, I see one more gift given to me and I smile and praise the King for His goodness. For He has given me the one thing, I desired the most. He has given me Rest.
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV
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Why do we insist on picking up all those worldly adult stressors?
I also laughed with this article because it was so familiar. I'm sure a lot of people have felt this story happening in their lives.
also touched my heart.
Julie Pisacane