Matthew 11:29-30, New International Version

“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.”

Recently, something a brother shared in a fellowship reminded me of a movie I watched when I was young and living in my homeland, Hong Kong. The movie was about a group of women who were admitted into a special force training program. In one scene, a trainer instructed them to place stones into the backpacks of the opposing team they were competing against. However, one individual secretly stuffed in large rocks instead of stones. After they finished, the trainer required them to carry the backpacks they filled on their own shoulders. You can imagine what happened when her trick came back on her. At the time, the scene was meant to cause laughter. But now, with a maturing mind in Christ, I see it from a different perspective. It brings no laughter, but rather a clear picture of consequence.

I am not focusing on the trick itself, but on this question: what stones or rocks are we picking up and placing into the burdens we carry through life?

Are they stones of pain, mistakes, disappointments, or unresolved feelings from the past? Or perhaps someone else placed the rocks there, and the weight still remains on your shoulders. Sometimes, it reaches a point where you can no longer carry it, and you begin to drag it behind you with every step. You may have thought about letting it go, yet you feel unable to. You begin to accept it and try to carry it with the little strength you have left. Each morning, you open your eyes hoping to see something new, but instead you find yourself still bound to that heavy burden. You start your day feeling overwhelmed, and end it with a tired, discouraged heart. You may wonder, will this ever end? Can there be a new beginning? You may even ask Jesus, “Have You seen me? Do You care?”

There is an answer for you:

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” (Psalm 34:18, NLT)

And He says, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, BSB)

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].” (2 Corinthians 5:17, AMP)

My dear friends, it is time for you to come to Jesus with an open heart and open hands. Let Him take what you are carrying and begin to take up the cross with Him. For His yoke is easy and His burden is light. How do I know? Because I was once where you are—and now I am reborn in Christ, living a new life filled with joy.