Continuing Education

What’s to be done when…

…the devil’s in the details and you aren’t detail-oriented?

…Spouse and you disagree, and both won’t budge?

…you think you’ve got alcohol by the tail, and it turns around and bites you?

…the cancer has come back?

…life’s stresses have you going back to decompress at that website, the one you don’t want your wife or kids to stumble upon?

…gaming is more rewarding than real life?

…your adult child confuses sex with love?

…you’re not sure anyone would miss you when you’re gone?

…Spouse mistakes silence for agreement, but if you disagree it turns ugly?

…to put your “feel-good” on you’ve got to spend, but then the credit card bill arrives?

…your life on the outside looks polished, but on the inside it’s unvarnished and raw?

Our sermon this week was a vivid reminder that God doesn’t require for you to clean up your act before you ask him for help.  The old adage “God helps those who help themselves” has more in common with Ben Franklin’s “Poor Richard’s Almanac” than the God of the Scripture. 

In fact Scripture tells us, “Turn to me all you who are 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.”*

Is there a rhythm to this new kind of living that somehow involves rest and renewal?

All of the above scenarios imply a heavy burden.  What’s implied in the verse above is that in releasing that burden, we take up a new pattern of living…one that takes time to learn.

What kind of learning is this?  Apparently we don’t just retire completely from life because placing oxen in a yoke is synonymous with putting them to work.  Is there a rhythm to this new kind of living that somehow involves rest and renewal, so something otherwise burdensome becomes bearable? 

Luckily for us before we enter this new training program of Kingdom life, there are affirmations.

Luckily for us before we enter this new training program of Kingdom life, there are affirmations:

“A bruised reed He (God) will not break and a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish,”**

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are Mine!”***

Delve into the Scriptures today and uncover a few of these affirmations for yourself.  Maybe you will find yourself compelled to try on a new pattern of living, one that involves learning from the Prince of Peace Himself.

  * Matthew 11:28

 ** Isaiah 42:3

*** Isaiah 43:1