A New Years resolution can be quite a burden. Any goal that we set for ourselves can be a weight that we carry. As I consider the new year ahead I plan to make it a year of carrying burdens lightly, to keep them in perspective and to lean on God for the outcomes.
I’ve learnt before that having a goal whether it’s to save money, to get fitter or to write more regularly can become a source of disappointment and discouragement, often taking the joy out of what we’re trying to do and taking an axe to our motivation.
So this year there is a condition to any resolutions I make. I don’t want a personal goal to become a distraction or a rod for my back. I’m making goals with this in mind.
My New Year’s Resolution is to carrying burdens lightly in 2012.
How can you carry your goals ‘lightly’ this year?
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
Light Burdens
“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.” Jesus, in Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus didn’t say that there aren’t any burdens to carry, but He did say that we could carry them lightly. Coming to Christ doesn’t mean a carefree life where we float around while He does everything for us. Yet neither does it mean that we are to walk so heavily laden with expectations that they bury us.
Jesus challenges His disciples to live with the values and purpose of His Kingdom. We are to love one another as He loved us. We are to be a light in our community. We are to become like Him. We are to ‘take up our cross daily’. Jesus was obviously not promising a walk in the park.
Strangely, Jesus says that carrying these burdens shouldn’t be difficult. Now, I’ve tried living up to these challenges. I’ve tried balancing them and managing them. But in my own strength I have failed. And I’ve seen others try and fail too, sometimes becoming discouraged at their weakness or dropping the ball altogether.
But Jesus is offering to us a different way. We’re not on our own. He doesn’t expect us to carry them without His help. He knows that we can’t possibly succeed that way. And so He invites to Himself and to His way. He draws us near and promises to teach us how to walk next to Him so that He can take the weight.
I have become intrigued and excited about this idea of light burdens. It somehow resonates with me. I want to live like that. I’m not interested in living without burdens and I’ve certainly tried to carry a whole lot on my own and learnt how awful that can be. So I’d like to take some time to develop my thoughts and hopefully let Jesus change the way I live. Feel welcome to come along for the ride and let me know how it’s working out for you.
Jesus didn’t say that there aren’t any burdens to carry, but He did say that we could carry them lightly. Coming to Christ doesn’t mean a carefree life where we float around while He does everything for us. Yet neither does it mean that we are to walk so heavily laden with expectations that they bury us.
Jesus challenges His disciples to live with the values and purpose of His Kingdom. We are to love one another as He loved us. We are to be a light in our community. We are to become like Him. We are to ‘take up our cross daily’. Jesus was obviously not promising a walk in the park.
Strangely, Jesus says that carrying these burdens shouldn’t be difficult. Now, I’ve tried living up to these challenges. I’ve tried balancing them and managing them. But in my own strength I have failed. And I’ve seen others try and fail too, sometimes becoming discouraged at their weakness or dropping the ball altogether.
But Jesus is offering to us a different way. We’re not on our own. He doesn’t expect us to carry them without His help. He knows that we can’t possibly succeed that way. And so He invites to Himself and to His way. He draws us near and promises to teach us how to walk next to Him so that He can take the weight.
I have become intrigued and excited about this idea of light burdens. It somehow resonates with me. I want to live like that. I’m not interested in living without burdens and I’ve certainly tried to carry a whole lot on my own and learnt how awful that can be. So I’d like to take some time to develop my thoughts and hopefully let Jesus change the way I live. Feel welcome to come along for the ride and let me know how it’s working out for you.
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