 Scripture Reading: Matthew 11:25-30 NASB95
At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. [26] Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. [27] All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. [28] “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, 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.” I was hoping for green pastures and still waters, instead, I find myself in a valley of shadows, doubts and despair. I was promised a burden that would be light and a yoke that would be easy; but, in this moment, my burden is crushing, and my yoke is overwhelming. The loses are adding up. Loss of influence, loss of vision, loss of hope, reversals in places where I had illusions for a better outcome. In the midst of my personal darkness is a point of light. A welcoming voice and a beckoning Spirit. There is a certainty in my heart that if I reach out for the light, I will find a place of peace. Indeed, a place where the burden is light and where the yoke is easy. As I step into the light it dawns on me; I have been overwhelmed by carrying a burden of success orientation; of wanting to please others; of making a name for myself; of building my own kingdom. The cost of being on the throne of one’s own life is staggering. I was never destined to be a king; rather, I was redeemed to be a servant of the King. Once again, I throw off the self-inflicted burden of self-importance, and exchange it for the relief found in serving King Jesus. It is paramount that I keep my eyes on Jesus and that I serve His purposes rather than chase after my own fleeting aspirations. I give my personal burdens to the author and finisher of my faith and...there it is...a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light. Questions to Consider:
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 Scripture Reading: Matthew 9:35-38 NASB95
Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. [36] Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. [37] Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. [38] Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.” Jesus' description of the harvest has been used to whip up fervor for foreign missionary work. No doubt, that is apropos to the subject of missions; however, one does not have to travel to a foreign land to bring in the harvest. For most of us, the harvest is waiting one step out the front door of our house or apartment. What has become apparent in recent years is the fact that we are living in a Post-Christian America, and many people have never heard the Gospel message. If in your next trip to town, you happen to "look" around at the people, you will find people who match Jesus' description. "Distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd." This is often the driving force behind drug use and suicide. People feel lost, isolated and unloved. All they really need to turn their lives around is a relationship with Jesus. This is where "we" come into the picture. As followers of Christ, we are called to be His ambassadors. We represent Jesus to the harvest of people who need to know Jesus. What we must do is to prepare strategies to connect these people to Jesus by proclaiming the Gospel. We must "go out" with this message to reach people who are not inclined to walk into a church building. In this Post-Christian America, it has never dawned on many of these lost people to walk into a church on a Sunday morning. So, we take the Gospel to them. Questions to Consider:
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