“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (1)
This morning I was working on a document in Microsoft Word. Just when I was putting on the finishing touches, poof – it was gone! I tried my best to retrieve it, but it was nowhere to be found. Now I am trying to remember what I had previously written. I’m asking the Holy Spirit to come and increase His power, to give me an extra measure of grace.
I wish my brain was that of a computer – then I could just push “delete” and poof! All my memory would disappear. I’d love for painful memories to vanish, those which have caused much anxiety. They’ve laid heavily on my mind…the trauma, anguish, and misery of long ago. At times my cares are on overload, and I’ve carried more burden than I’ve needed to – especially in light of truth…they can be carried to the Lord and left with Him. Then again, not only does God lighten our load, but His Holy Spirit continues His work in us.
“…for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasures.” (2)
It is when I resist cooperating with the Spirit by letting anxious thoughts run wild in my mind, that I feel His pull on my spirit. My stubbornness diminishes God’s glory in the work He is doing in me. Then consciously, I come back to relinquish my deepest, most inward secret parts of my heart putting them under His rule. Many times, then and even today, I will pray for a complete covering of Christ’s authority over my body, soul, and mind. I’ll cry out, “Lord, just take me as I am…all of me, I’m holding nothing back.” Jesus accepts my total surrender and lays His grace over me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. (3)
Heavenly Father, forgive me when the heaviness of memory replaces Your rightful place on the throne of my heart. Thank You for your constant love and for pardoning my weaknesses. I can sleep in peace tonight knowing You are right beside me. Amen.
Footnotes:
1. Matthew 11:28-30 nas
2. Philippians 2:13 nas
3. Psalm 139:2 esv http://biblehub.com/psalms/139-2.htm
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