Good News?

Juggling all of life’s demands can keep us pretty busy. And rightly so. We have valid obligations to our employer, our teachers, our family, our community.

But with all of those things tugging for our attention does it make sense that religion would heap even more upon us? I mean, if God really loves us then why is he making us toil in this “march through life” with 500 pound backpacks? Wouldn’t you think that religion would help us to lighten the normal weight of living life rather than making it even heavier?

Jesus seemed to think so. In fact, he said that anyone who followed him would find REST in the midst of all of these demands! That’s right, rest! Read his actual words for yourself: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden , and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

But haven’t many of us been taught that we need to be like Jesus? That we need to strive to be as perfect as he was? Doing as much good for as many people as possible during every waking moment of our lives? In fact, didn’t Jesus himself say that we needed to be perfect?

He did.