In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
John 16.33
There is no way to soften the message here. Jesus is pretty straightforward. Life is going to be hard. Expect it to be so. And when life is hard for a while, or even longer, we will get weary and wear down and sometimes we will get stuck in tunnel vision where all we see is the difficulty, the pain. This is a recipe for drowning. For when the pain, the hard, is all we can see, we quickly sink deep into the mire. In these times we must remember, we must remind each other, to step away, if only for a moment, and receive something good. Something to strengthen our hearts and our spirits.
Outside in nature is often where I get refreshed. It quiets and soothes me. I get centered. A simple sunrise invites me to seek out the new mercies that come with every morning. Fragrant orange blossoms cause me to pause and just breathe their beautiful aroma. Even the cactus nudges me to look for the goodness within the most prickly of people.
I bumped into a friend and her family the other day after church – at a restaurant. They were in their hiking clothes. Not their church clothes. I understood immediately. Getting out and under that great big sky is such a wonderful place to find renewal. Knowing I would be compelled to explain the hiking clothes to a fellow church goer, to explain my good reason for skipping out on what I consider a high priority, I tried to gently, in a very friendly way, notice her attire. I didn’t want her walking away feeling caught playing hooky. Of course, she said the exact thing I would have said, “We needed a family hike today.” I think she would have done more explaining, justifying, if I hadn’t quickly slipped in my, “Oh, I get it.” And I did.
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
When life is hard, we must make time to “come to Jesus”. We must figure out where it is easiest for us to meet up with Him. A long drive? A coffee shop? In bed with a good book? Baking cookies? Head phones and music? Figure it out. Ask Him to show you. He knows a place, He knows the way and He wants to lighten your burden.