Humbly or Grumbly?

Matthew 11:25-30

New International Version (NIV)

 ²⁵ At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. ²⁶ Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

²⁷ “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ 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. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2011:25-30&version=NIV)

There is one major theme in this scripture that radiates and makes me rejoice.  What is that theme?  Our Father is in control!!!!!  Wow, when we really realize that He is in control what a weight is taken off of our shoulders. 

 I want you to take special note of verses 28 – 30.  Jesus is very clear when He tells us that when we are weary and burdened we need to come to Him to get rest.  How many of us have become weary and burdened and blamed it on the work we were doing for the Lord?  I believe that if we are burdened by the task at hand then we might want to look at our motivation for doing the work. 

 What fascinates me more than anything though is that Jesus says His yoke is easy.  Think about the yoke of the cross that He carried.  How was that easy?  He says that His burden is light?  Do you think the cross was light?  No, probably not but we can learn from Jesus in His time of trials.  He was gentle, He was kind.  You don’t hear Him cursing those who are persecuting Him but rather you hear Him asking His Father to forgive Him. 

 I have served in our local church for years, since I became a part of the church.  I have taught the little ones through the teens.  I have served the elderly and have helped those who were going through trials.  When I have truly been in the will of God, when I have truly given it all over to Him, this service was not burdensome, it wasn’t heavy, it was a JOY, a JOY beyond happiness.  Was I sometimes tired when I began the task, of course, but in the end I was rejuvenated and happy that I could serve Him.  I can remember being tired from a full day of work and the needing to go and teach several energetic elementary age children on Wednesday night.  We had very few helpers and I would be so tired from a hard day at work but by the time I went home I was energized and so happy I had been there.  What about you?  Are you rejuvenated when you serve Him or are your worn out and cranky?  If it is the latter, that is the time we need to re-evaluate what we are doing and who we are doing it for.

 Jesus was humble, let me say that again, humble.  He who was God, incarnate, was humble.  Now that is a lesson for all of us to learn.  Do you serve humbly or grumbly?  Today as you search your heart, as you learn from Him, may you find joy and peace, may you find that you are serving Him and are refreshed.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila