Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord.
"Give it up to the Lord." I've been known to say this, and I've had plenty of people tell me this after lamenting my troubles to them. These are meant to be comforting words or words of advice. But sometimes, more often than not, I'm not "feelin' it." You might know what I mean. Words are easy when times are tough, but when things are down, I ask, "When is the tough gonna get going? When are things going to ease up." I've prayed on more than a few of occasions, "Ok, Jesus, I'm giving this to you. Do your work." But the outcome was not what I was hoping for. This is not to say that we shouldn't offer things up….we should.
On the surface this is a nice scripture, but it sometimes seems to go against some of the other teachings when learn, ie, that we must carry our cross if we are to follow Jesus. So what is it…carry the cross, or let him carry the load? It's hard to have it both ways, yet that's what we are called to. Sometimes our wishes and plans are not in God's plans. We have to earnestly open ourselves up to what God has for us. Then when things begin to get tough, and they will, we turn it over to God. We have to relax. We have to "let go and let God." Easy to pray and easy to say, but hard to do. Pray for the patience and willpower to turn your life, your heart and your soul to him. I promise that things will be easier if you do this versus trying to do everything on your own.
