Does Jesus really mean it when He says His yoke is easy and His burden is light? The answer is yes---and the path from where you are to where He wants you to be is available to everyone!

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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".  --Matthew 11:28-30

      Does Jesus really mean it when He says His yoke is easy and His burden is light? The answer is yes---and the path from where you are to where He wants you to be is available to everyone!

      Ann and Jason are young professionals with satisfying jobs, loving families, healthy bank accounts and a history of faith from their youngest days. Yet both are sitting across a table from me during a break at a conference discussing their disappointments and difficulties. "Life", Ann remarks, "seems like it should be easier by now".

      They're not alone. Christians in every culture and every economic level find themselves struggling with emptiness and/or difficulties that seem intractable.

      On the other side of life's spectrum are Tim and Melissa, two people whose stories spilled out during a chance encounter when they learned I was a chaplain. Nothing seems to be working out for them. Tim's been out of work for three years and Melissa can't find work in her field, so she's underemployed and underpaid. The money troubles have put a strain on their marriage and the stresses accompanying all of this have put a strain on their faith. "Life", Tim remarks, "seems like it should be easier by now".

      We each have a variation on the 'life is hard' theme. In fact, life can frequently feel overwhelming.

      It's not just the sin side of life that's disappointing or hard, either. Many Christians believe their best efforts to please God are producing no visible results, and some believe they are seeing negative results.

      The problem for all of us is our tendency to try harder; to attempt things in our own strength which can only be accomplished by God. The problem is also our perspective: We're looking at life and dealing with it through the prism of our humanity touched up by our faith, rather than looking at it through the eyes of Jesus.

      Want to stop hurting people unintentionally? Read the Word, and you will suddenly begin seeing everyone who crosses your path with the eyes of Christ.

      Want to beat that besetting sin? Trying harder rarely works; in fact, trying harder is often why we're trapped, because anything that takes our eyes off of Jesus forces us to tackle life in our own strength and in our own diminished wisdom. Spend your energy and effort knowing Christ---by reading His Word---and the Holy Spirit will add power and strength to your efforts to conquer whatever entangles you.