By Juliana Gordon
“Come to me, all 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 ESV
When I was a young mom, I broke a lot of purses. I would wear the small backpack type of purse, and stuff my very full planner in there, along with all the trappings of someone who wanted to be prepared. Folding scissors? Got it. Work papers for later? Check. Spare pacifier for the baby? Of course. Sooner or later, the straps on the purse would break, and I’d be on the lookout for another large purse. Sure, I could have gotten along with less, and maybe cleaned out my purse a little more often. But I didn’t.
In my heart and mind, I often carry around clutter that will sooner or later break me in some way. I carry the responsibility no one gave me for thinking through everything that could go wrong in life. I shoulder the guilt that comes with second-guessing decisions I’ve made. I feel the weight of each “Yes” and “No” I’ve said that either has over-scheduled me or made me feel like I’ve let someone down.
When I picture these burdens I carry around, it’s like the clutter in that heavy purse. I picture God asking me, “Who asked you to carry all of that?” He would tell me that He didn’t give me those burdens. He would hand me a light knapsack, and tell me that “My yoke is easy and My burden is light”. I can wholeheartedly work at the things that God wants me to do, and be at rest about the rest of it. But if I focus on the burdens He didn’t give me, I won’t be able to focus on what He wants me to do. Instead, just like my heavy purse, things will start to crack and maybe even break.
Today, take up God’s burdens for you, the items He wants you to take care of that He will provide the strength, resources, and time for. God will provide the rest for your soul.
About the author: Juliana Gordon is a pastor’s wife in Southern California. She served as an office manager in a warm and loving church for over 20 years. Her passions include writing, praying for her family, and advocating for persecuted Christians. You can find her at julianagordon.com or on Instagram at @julianagordonwriter.