I sit quietly with my Bible open on my lap and gaze outside my window. Two clouds converge and seem to kiss in the pale blue sky. This makes me think about how all things come together in God’s way and timing. And I wonder. How much of my life is spent learning this one simple thing —
Letting go.
“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.” Matthew 11:28-30, NIV
His words are beautiful. Simple. Yet, we feel pressure inside of us to attain what he says. Why is this?
I consider a few words from the passage. I move them back and forth in my mind, inviting God to speak into them. You will find rest for your souls. They sound inviting and too good to really be true.
Rest for our souls to think and to breathe.
Rest for our souls to trust.
Rest for our souls to believe.
Yes. Rest is what our souls need.
But how?
I lay my hands, palms up, on my still-open Bible and study the intricate lines that are unique to me. I’m reminded that I’m engraved on the palms of his hands, and he is engraved on mine. We belong to one another. My life is not my own.
Then he mercifully brings to mind the things I’ve been holding onto. The people. The dreams. The beliefs. The expectations. I lay them out on my upturned hands, one on top of the other, until I’ve added them all. Then I close my eyes and say willingly … Here, Lord. These are yours. Take from me what you will. And return to me what is mine to keep.
I only want to follow you.
I look once more at my empty hands. And I feel lighter. I’m beginning to see what it means to rest in him. I can’t keep up if I’m carrying such a heavy load.
What is weighing you down today, Beloved? What is making you feel as though you’re falling behind? What are you carrying that he never intended for you to?
Maybe it’s time to let it go.
Let it go and let him lead. Trust him to keep all that is a burden. And to return to you all that is a blessing … and more. Sometimes I find myself holding onto things because I falsely believe that I need them. But what I’m discovering as I draw closer to God is that I don’t want for myself what was never meant to be mine. I only want what he wants for me.
And so it’s through release that we receive all that he has for us.
In this way, we can know we are walking in the footsteps he has laid out just for us. Carrying only what we were meant to carry.
And such certainty brings rest instead of striving.
God, I confess that much of my weariness is from holding on tightly to so many things. But in your great kindness and mercy, you’re asking me to simply let go. Help me to release all that weighs heavy on my mind and body to you so that I may rest in you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Do you have things in your life weighing you down that you desire to surrender to your Savior? Try the open hands exercise above. And ask God to lighten your load for the journey ahead.
