Burden is Light!

In our sojourn on earth, we are no strangers to burdens of distress, grief, pain, sorrow, peril, toil, tribulation, troubles, trials, and temptations of varying degrees. Thanks be to God, for the strength we are given to overcome these! Yet, despite the grace from above, many of us tend to carry our own burdens. But, why?

Perhaps even reading this might anxiously remind us of the things which weigh us down. Generally, on the one hand, our burdens pertain to our cares and worries of the world. ‘What does the future hold?’ ‘What shall we eat, drink, and wear?’ ‘Who will help us out in this need?’ ‘When and How will we complete our tasks?’ ‘Why did this person speak ill about me?’ ‘Why are people against us?’ And similar such agitating questions, thoughts, and worries which makes us uneasy. On the other hand, we might be burdened by sin; both by the guilt of our past errors and the power sin has on us (For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me. Psalm 38:4).

Nevertheless, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ calls us to himself to relieve us of all our burdens and give us rest. 

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30.

But, despite knowing this, why do we often find ourselves wallowing in our worries and guilt, trying to carry our own burdens? Could it be because we do not fully follow Christ’s instruction: “Take my yoke upon you”? If so, the next question is, what is this “yoke”? It may sound like adding another affliction to our burdens, but it is far from it. We are already under a yoke which makes us weary; as an alternative, Jesus tells us to take His yoke which is easy. This yoke is essentially our service and duty to God, which is to submit ourselves as loving subjects to him and to conduct ourselves in obedience to all his commands with a cheerful heart. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3. Being yoked to work diligently for God, with patience and humbleness, is better and easier than our yoke of worldly pursuits. This is a yoke of love. And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 1 John 3:23.

Thus, the yoke of Christ's commands is an easy yoke and contrary to the burdens we carry by ourselves, the burden of Christ's cross is a light burden. However, it is peculiar that it is still called a burden. Why is that and what does it entail? Well, here the “burden” is less of “load” or “weight”, but more of “duty” and “meaning”. In other words, the burden of the cross does not entail things which weigh us down, rather it gives us purpose. Simply put, the burden of the cross is one of love and responsibility.

Burden of love: 

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. John 15:9,10. 

To be rooted in the Father’s and Christ's love is crucial, but it might not be easier as it sounds. True, God’s love for us does not wane; but our love for our “self” and the world competes with the love for our creator and our redeemer. This is a challenge we ought to overcome and ensure that our first love is always for the Lord.

Burden of responsibility: 

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. John 15:16. 

We are chosen and appointed in this world for a reason. Each of us has a unique purpose which would be revealed in its time. Concurrently, our general purpose is to bear good fruits for the glory of our Father in heaven. This is our responsibility, to be witnesses and ambassadors of the Kingdom of heaven.

Our convictions of love and responsibility to Christ might bring us trouble on earth. Moreover, the afflictions which befall us for standing true to Christ may be grievous and the burden may not be joyous, but it is light. In fact, it is light because of the presence of the Father, the encouragement of the Son, and the comforting aid of the Holy Ghost.

Finally, let us not forget to learn from Christ. For he is our all in all; both the teacher and the lesson, our guide and our way. He has given us everything, we only need to trust Him and follow His lead. As the hymn goes:

Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom;
O lead me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home;
O lead me on!
Keep firm my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene, one step enough for me.

The key takeaway is this. Our life is a turbulent journey with only the destination known. Travelling alone with our baggage is unfeasible. All we require is the cross of Christ. This is a light burden of love and responsibility. We have the best teacher possible to mentor us through our life and give us peace. Thus, it will serve us well to scooch over and say “Jesus, please take the wheel!”

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