By: Pastor Jeremy
● 500 Words
● Passage of Scripture
● Question
● Personal story
“I’ve got nothing”…
Have you ever felt like that? Have you ever said that?
All of us live in different seasons and rhythms that are met with different pressures. Where are you these days? Do you feel like you cannot keep up with all that is going on around you?
A pattern in my own life has started to emerge around this time of year, I am running out of gas! Sometimes, I get so caught up in “doing the work of ministry” that I neglect to do regular maintenance on my soul. Trust me, as someone who would rather keep pushing and be “busy for Jesus,” it is a hard thing for me to acknowledge a need to slow down, let alone take the actual time to do it.
Well, what about Jesus!? He was a pretty busy guy…Well, yes and no.
If you look at the account of Mark, which is known for its fast pace and “immediate” transitions, it does not take long to see that Jesus often goes to a “desolate place” (1:35) to pray and is “withdrawing” with his disciples away from the crowds (3:7).
If we are not careful, “busy for Jesus” will take over “being with Jesus.”
I am challenged by Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:25-30. The context is a rebuke to certain cities that did not repent after seeing Jesus’ works. He then turns to teach that relationship with God is only found through a relationship with Him. It is not the mighty works that are as important as the mighty one doing them! It is here that Jesus says,
“Come to me, all who labour 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” (ESV).
Has Jesus become your “job” or duty on “Sundays”?
Has he become the “right answer” that you know you should say?
Do you see Him rebuking you or asking you to come?
As of right now, I will admit, I am not the greatest example of this. Yet, God is loving enough to show me that “doing” and “being” are two different things. God has given me a few practical examples this year that when you do not properly maintain something, the breakdown is often longer and more expensive than the routine maintenance. It is one thing to talk about the maintenance of our family vehicle and another thing to talk about my soul. How would you answer the questions in bold today? What will it look like to do some maintenance on your soul today?
