July/August 2008
We have reached summer, time for a rest!
But you say, is rest for the human spirit possible today in a world which makes so many demands on us?
We have pressure on us to be the best people we can be, and so that gives us stress, doesn’t it? We carry heavy burdens every day.
Burdens like what?
I have a burden to look good – I need my cream to make me look 39 not 41. 39 is young and 41 is old. Mind you, I laughed when they said the Williams Sisters at Wimbledon are running out of time to win things “approaching 30!”
I have a burden to succeed – I need to pass exams and get the top marks to succeed in life.
I have a financial burden. My wallet is empty and I’m not paid again until September 1. I have a burden to provide for my family.
I have a burden of time. There are not enough hours in the day. I always seem to race around with little time for me. I
have a burden that makes me have what other people have and buy the best things to make life happy.
I have a burden which needs to buy the best food, to satisfy my stomach. I don’t want basics, I want the best.
I have a burden to get all my work done – there are things to be done and if I don’t do them, I will not be doing my job properly and it never ends.
I have a burden about the future of the world – where is life going?
There is a deep, deep, deep hunger in the human soul for a resolution of our doubts and conflicts, for a relief from the weight of unanswered questions, for a lifting from our shoulders the burden of unfulfilled vows and purest longings.
Where do we find rest? Rest for a restless soul. Men and women, youths and even children, have aching moments when they find themselves asking, even in the wake of having achieved some goal, “But is this all there is? Is this as good as it gets? Surely there must be more to life than this?”
Jesus offers us rest. Rest for our souls. Rest at the core of our being. He offers us a place where we can lay down our burdens, satisfy the deepest longings of the human spirit.
To those who have tried to taste every diversion this world offers, yet remain empty, the voice calls. To those unhappy souls who complain, “there must be more to life than this,” Jesus of Nazareth says. “Yes there is. Come unto me and sample it.”
To those who come to him, Jesus offers the secret of the “kingdom of God." The good news of God’s ruling presence in all and through all yet above all. A kingdom of overflowing grace, where sinners are brought back, rebels are forgiven, lepers are embraced, and where the lost find themselves truly at home, where all are welcome, it is a life that is better than we think we need.
Jesus says “Come unto me.” Not to come merely to him as a human being, set in one episode in history. But come to him as the door into the realm of the invisible God who utterly cares about each one of us. Through his loving words and deeds he wants us to discern and trust the irrepressible love of God which never accepts defeat. Jesus says: “Come. If you receive me, you receive the One who sent me.”
To come to Jesus therefore is to come to that eternal Lover whom he called Abba. Abba being the affectionate name a small child of that culture had for a very loving father. Why don’t you try it?
Come unto me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of 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.
A prayer:
Almighty God, we gather in your name and bring ourselves before you.
When we are heavy at heart, and the pressures of life push us down, we bring ourselves before you.
When we are in need of rest, tired from the activities of the past week, we bring ourselves before you: your burden is light.
Jesus, gentle, humble Lord, we leave behind that which holds us back, and devote ourselves to celebrating the wonder of your love, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Ian Pruden
