"You Call"

I sit here in the quiet,

My heart, an open book,

Surrounded with Your blessings,

I don’t have far to look.

There, the horses grazing,

A hawk flies overhead,

The Good Book’s open pages,

The words of Jesus red.

The wind up in the branches,

The sun’s rays through the trees,

The redbirds and the hummers,

These sounds my frayed nerves ease.

Look there, I see them standing,

The does and fawns and buck,

I know this is God’s doing,

Not fate or some good luck.

But see the hand of mercy,

To feel Your presence near,

I know I have Your favor,

And You always are near.

You call the weak and weary,

Let every burden go,

Give strength to the traveler,

And all we need to know.

And when we get exhausted,

And sadness dogs our way,

You tell us that You love us,

And we will be okay.

I doubted that I’m able,

To really feel content,

Worried, stressed, and fearful,

‘Bout all that life has sent.

But now I know the difference,

And more than what I hope,

Your Spirit gives assurance,

And like some loving rope,

Pulls me from depression,

And sets my soul so free,

I thank You, my Lord Jesus,

For all You’ve done for me.

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest…” (Mt. 11:28, NLT)

Who doesn’t need to hear these words of Jesus? We all do! And the obvious reason is that all of us get exhausted by the burdens of life. What are they? Different things with different people. A divorce happens, and people’s lives are impacted emotionally, financially and every other imaginable way. A death occurs, and the grief is so overwhelming and heartbreaking we think we can’t survive it. A child goes astray, and we are stressed and burdened, wondering when or if they will ever come around. Sickness threatens… I could go on but no question we all have to deal with life’s heaviness. Jesus promises relief and rest. Jesus promises an easy yoke and a light burden. It’s a burden to follow Jesus, but compared to all other yokes it is an easy one. Listen. He’s calling you and making the offer He made to the first people He taught. Are you tired? Come and He will give you rest. Come and get it.

Lord, help us receive the rest You want to give us, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Tim Cox, timcox.com, used by permission. Thanks, Tim, and God bless you.