Come, Take, Learn, Rest

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, 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."

Matthew 11:28-30  (NASB)

Father, I confess that  I buy into the “more is better” line of thought -  hook, line, and sinker.  Forgive me, Lord.  As our culture encourages me to acquire more,  do more, and be more all the time, please show me the way out of the rat race!  You do not call me to frantic activity, heavy sighs, and a covetous heart.  Rather, you invite me to come to you and receive rest. 

I know that rest and idleness are not the same. You don’t bid me to lounge about on the couch. You’ve got a yoke you want me to wear.  But your yoke is a framework that connects me to you.   You pull right along side me!  And you promise that Your burden is light – lighter than the one I choose to carry on my own. 

Forgive me for the times when I reject your aid and the lighter load that you provide.  In my foolish pride, though my burden chafes and it’s too heavy, I think to myself, “But it’s mine and I’m dependent on no one!” 

Thankfully, you are gentle, and more humble than I can fathom!  You patiently invite me to lay down my burden; then you wait.  Clearly, you are worthy of my trust. Dependence on you is wise and desirable.  Daily, hourly, each minute I want to come to You. I want to be connected to You, knowing you will provide work that is restful for my soul.   Thank you, Lord Jesus.

Know This for Certain

He replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"

John 9:25

Father, You are a mystery.  I praise you because you are so beyond anything I could imagine.  Your works are baffling and utterly amazing.  I can’t comprehend all the hows and whys of your character and actions; but like the man Jesus healed in John 9, I do know one thing for certain: your touch makes all the difference in my life.  Thank you, Lord Jesus.

Crown the Humble

" For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation."

Psalm 149:4

Lord, You take delight in your people – as individuals and as a community of believers.  Thank you that we are all covered – cloaked, as it were – in the blood of Christ.  Your pleasure with us stems from your great satisfaction in Your Son’s redeeming work on the cross.  We were mired in the filth of sin, but His sacrifice cleansed us.  He did for us what we could not do for ourselves.  Now I see my humble position:  apart from You, I can do nothing.  My eyes are on You.  

Keep in Mind the Things of God

"Jesus turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.'"

Matthew 16:23 

Lord Jesus,  I want to have in mind the things of God –  your agenda, your purpose, your perspective.  Set me apart  through your Word so that I think as You do.    I want to know and desire Your way. Replace my limited narrow vision with your vast unending view.

Become Less

 "He must become greater; I must become less."

 John 3:30

Holy Spirit, make me humble like John the Baptist so that I gladly deflect attention away from myself and toward You.   I've experienced glimpses of the joy of bringing acclaim to you rather than soaking in all the praise myself...  I want to delight in your presence and in the working out of your plan in my life and in the world around me. My tendency is toward self-aggrandizement.  But I am determined, with the help of your mighty power, to point others you, rather than toward me and my accomplishments.   

Save the Lost

"The Son of Man came to save what was lost."

(Matt 18:11)

Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd. You so value all of your sheep. Nothing derails you from your purpose to seek and save the lost. Forgive me for not assigning worth to people the way that you do. Often, I ascribe more importance to my own comfort. I don’t feel like going to the trouble of seeking the lost. I justify my hard heart and my ungenerous attitude by complaining about my busy schedule - and besides my pagan friends don’t even want to hear Jesus, do they? I’m too tired to make Your priorities mine. Forgive me, Lord. Motivate me. Give me a sense of urgency and fill me with your overwhelming love for folks who don’t know You.

Lord, you love the lost. You love in spite of hostility, ignorance, poverty, and foolishness. You love regardless of crimes, addictions, and utter selfishness. You aren’t put off. You don’t lose patience. You suffer long with sinners, continually acting in love though no return is in sight, because it’s your nature to do so. Your kindness brings about repentance so you persevere even when you receive indifference, anger, and independence from unbelievers. Lord, your patience and humility are beyond me, but I want to be like you. You saved me when I was lost.