Those Who Are Weary And Burdened

I like to challenge our kids. I look for efforts on everything from exercise to eating cherry tomatoes. Last Christmas we bought the youngest a chin up bar. I know, but he’s a gymnast and enjoys that stuff. So, I offered everyone $100 if they were simply able to hang from the chin up bar for 60 seconds.

Simple right? I ended the day without having to pay any of the kids or Leah. Honestly, I tried and lasted less than 60 seconds too. The truth is, hanging in there can be tough. Even if you’re not taking body shots while suspended, the empty space under stress is difficult.

Focus. Focus. Focus.

One thing we do while waiting is to occupy our mind. Thinking of something else seems to help ease the burden, except when you’re waiting on the Lord. I think this is what’s causing our troubles right now. We’ve grown weary of waiting patiently upon Him.

I recall back before Easter there was an optimism surrounding Resurrection Sunday. God was supposed to heal the land and COVID19 was going to be over so we could start Monday like we used to start every Monday. But come that Monday God had failed to do as we told Him to do. So we decided to stop waiting for Him to fix it and we’d just do it ourselves.

What Happens

Because we turned away from God for His “failure” to do what we wanted, we’ve stumbled into a season of weariness and struggle. What happens within the atmosphere of discontent and rejection is we may either become bored, defiant or indifferent in our waiting.

Notice that faith, hope, joy, long suffering or not involved in the process of agitated expectations. Have you ever stood in a long line at the DMV? Sure you have. Have you ever decided to pass the time by talking to the other people in line, or did you just stand there with arms folded like a grump for two hours?

Choice

We have control over how we spend these days in waiting. All of the grunts and huffing in the world won’t speed up the process. God will move when God decides to move. What if all that He was waiting for was you to uncross your arms and embrace this season of change?

If you’re like we were on Christmas day and your fingers are slipping off the chin up bar one by one until you crash onto the floor, try changing your perspective. Let me amend my story from up top just a bit. I said no one earned the $100, but that wasn’t the truth. The one family member who was thankful for that chin up bar held on for 60 seconds and then some. He embraced the bar and saw it as an opportunity and not a curse. He also walked away with a crisp hundred dollar bill.

“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