Today in the Gospel of Matthew we hear a familiar reading chosen for many funerals. Jesus says: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” I have to think that He is talking to all of us: because don’t most people you know labor, have burdens and seek rest? Of course, the Lord is speaking mostly to our final resting place in heaven—when we lay down the burdens of our lives. You know them: the challenges of seeking holiness and turning from sin; daily pain and betrayal (especially of our own bodies); the burdens of disappointing people and them disappointing you right back; the lack of gratitude and grace—sometimes from our own selves. We still must labor away, anyway—in the face of our burdens and until we are called home. So what can we do in the meantime? Maybe try a bit of prayer…
There is a section in John Baillie's "A Diary of Private Prayer" that may be helpful. It reads: Teach me, O God, to use all the circumstances of my life today that they may bring forth in me the fruits of holiness rather than the fruits of sin. Let me use disappointment as material for patience; Let me use success as material for thankfulness; Let me use suspense as material for perseverance; Let me use danger as material for courage; Let me use reproach as material for longsuffering; Let me use praise as material for humility; Let me use pleasures as material for temperance; Let me use pain as material for endurance. (Amen!)
When any given day begins, countless things are headed your way over which you will have no control. Your burdens will come calling, and you have to labor in this field of souls. The one factor you can control through it all is your attitude in any given moment. Just remember that Jesus promises that all who come to him will rest—but living “en Cristo” now will ease your burdens here until they are lifted eternally. Rejoice anyway!
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
There is a section in John Baillie's "A Diary of Private Prayer" that may be helpful. It reads: Teach me, O God, to use all the circumstances of my life today that they may bring forth in me the fruits of holiness rather than the fruits of sin. Let me use disappointment as material for patience; Let me use success as material for thankfulness; Let me use suspense as material for perseverance; Let me use danger as material for courage; Let me use reproach as material for longsuffering; Let me use praise as material for humility; Let me use pleasures as material for temperance; Let me use pain as material for endurance. (Amen!)
When any given day begins, countless things are headed your way over which you will have no control. Your burdens will come calling, and you have to labor in this field of souls. The one factor you can control through it all is your attitude in any given moment. Just remember that Jesus promises that all who come to him will rest—but living “en Cristo” now will ease your burdens here until they are lifted eternally. Rejoice anyway!
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
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