When I was young, I thought a godly life meant avoiding things that others in town enjoyed freely. I was on the outside looking in as my youthful peers spoke of their first cigarette, drink, and engagements with girls. Their lives seemed carefree, and mine a burden.
As a teenager, I remember commenting that I wish I had come to Christ from being a drug addict because then my testimony would be powerfully compelling. But God reminded me “just think of all the heartache you’ve avoided by the path you have taken.”
Dallas Willard says, “To depart from righteousness is to choose a life of crushing burdens, failures, and disappointments, a life caught in the toils of endless problems that are never resolved. Here is the source of that unending soap opera – that horror show known as normal human life. The ‘cost of discipleship,’ though it may take all we have, is small when compared to the lot of those who don’t accept Christ’s invitation to be a part of his company in The Way of life.”
Today, do you seek reprieve from a “soap opera” life? Have you been fed the lie that following God will mean just one more burden? What’s keeping you from leaning on God and following his ways? Doing so may bring rest to your soul like you have never known.
“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
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank you for all you have protected me from. Father, I desperately seek the restful yoke of following you. Please help me choose your way so that I may know your pleasure and peace rather than the horror show I know, in Christ’s name. Amen.
