Heart-lift for the Burdened

Mat 11:28-30 (NIV)

"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."

Mat 11:28-30 (NLT)

Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light."

Mat 11:28-30 (MSG)

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

I have been wondering for the longest time about these verses. I understand that we can find rest in the Lord when we surrender our burdens to Him. But more than that it was revealed to me just tonight that there is a very important and essential element that we must not miss out in these verses... the heart... my heart...

It has been puzzling me why is it that even if I surrender my burdens to God, it seems as if I still carry those burdens. I know that at times it really is a process.. a surrendering process that I have to go through. Well, that was what I was used to. But I realized, that the reason there has always been a process for me is because of my heart.

THE PROBLEM:

What things were I putting in my heart? my problems, my worries, my burdens, my dreams, my desires, my plans.. all about me...

Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

All these things were preoccupying my focus, my thoughts, my emotions, my life, my time... They have become my treasures in my heart... taking the place of my God.

My heart was not set in the right angle and position which should be towards God and God alone.

THE RESULT:

So many times I have experienced frustrations in life wherein I want things to be solved right now ASAP! So I try to do all sorts of things my way to solve problems. Also I worry a lot... And I wonder why so many times, my efforts fail.

All these time that I was burnt out, burdened, tired, stressed out, and become too weary of life is because I carried those problems and troubles.

I realized, I have been playing god too much.

THE SOLUTION:

But God's invitation is so simple. That invitation can be found in these verses in Matthew 11:28-30.

For me, its like my Father telling me (His little child too preoccupied with the world.. frowning.. in a bad mood.. disappointed... crying.. heart-broken... I kept saying yes Lord, I surrender... yet I plan and plot what if's and must-be- done's in my heart and mind... worried...)

"My child, you're stressed out again because you try to carry the world on your shoulders. You are getting frustrated again with those burdens. You can try to do things your way, but in the end, you'll just end up exhausted. You can try to force your will into them all you want, but they'll never work out. My dear child, you are not God. Only I am God. Those burdens were not meant for you to carry. Only I can carry those burdens, yes even those dreams, those plans and those desires in your heart... and only in My perfect will and time can they fulfill their purpose. So why worry? TRUST ME. Give them ALL to me. Instead of focusing on them, give your focus back to Me. Look to Me. Set your heart right back to Me. Trust Me. I love you my child. I will take care of everything. Come back and enjoy your time with Me. Rest in Me."

I see myself running back to my Father's arms... laughing, smiling, telling Him stories, sharing my heart to Him, singing to Him, just enjoying time with Him... sitting at His feet... resting like a baby in His arms.. at peace, safe, secure... loved... at home...

My Prayer:

Father... please help me to surrender everything to You and to Your sovereign and perfect timing and will in faith. Please help me to develop the habit of focusing my whole HEART to You.. to look to You alone... to devote my time, my heart, my life back to You alone... and to NEVER compromise my time with You...

In Christ's Holy Name, Amen.