Lay It All Down
Do you find yourself feeling weary and heavy laden? Perhaps life seems to be spinning out of control, and you do not know what to do. Maybe anxiety is ruling your every move, like a gnat that won’t leave you alone. Maybe you’re caught up in a never-ending battle to gain the acceptance of others, and you’re left feeling helpless and lonely. Maybe you’re exhausted— emotionally, mentally and physically.
What if I told you that it’s not up to you to just “deal with it”? In fact, there is a much better, lasting solution.
Take a moment to read these verses in Matthew… meditate, journal, and reflect.
At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 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 11:25-30
God wants us to lay everything at his feet, including our pain, brokenness, and worries. He wants every single part of us. He wants our vulnerability, He wants us to rest in His sovereignty, and more than anything, He wants us to know that He is in fact, a good, good Father. He is warm, loving, gracious, patient, near to the brokenhearted…He is for us, not against us.
If we can learn to lay our burdens and pain at the foot of the cross, we will find this rest for our souls, like it says in Matthew 11:29. The reality is we live in a broken world, infected by sin and suffering. We live in a world that groans and desperately awaits the return of our Savior. Pain, suffering, and brokenness will exist until the Lord returns. One day, it will be as described in Revelation:
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." And he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.”
Revelation 21:1-6 ESV
Until then, God invites us to know Him personally and to find comfort through His word and through prayer. Through these things, Christ is readily available for those who are weary and heavy-laden. He is readily available for us to lay it all down at His feet.
Reflection Question: What are some things you feel like the Spirit is leading you to lay down at the feet of Jesus? Spend some time praying and seeking Him. Allow Him to speak into the areas of your life that need to be surrendered.
Today’s Worship Song: Lay It All Down — United Pursuit, Will Reagan
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqP9YpfVscU
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/2YkANIn2t02TQms674Vv9Z?si=X37V2Tk3S42NYPmyxe2aoA
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/lay-it-all-down/1196200097?i=1196200852
If I can be praying for you during this season, please email me at: blrich1399@gmail.com and I will be more than happy to lift your request up in prayer.
With love,
Brooke
