I Will Give You Rest

From Rev Sue Ann Yarbrough

Hello All, 
One recipient on this list asked if I can send the meditation a little earlier this week because she needs to print her community's newsletter earlier than usual.  She was wise to do that as periodically, I do run late.  Please know I am happy to accommodate requests as best I can, so do not hesitate to ask.  Also, please know that SpiritCare is deeply grateful for you all, and we pray you are taking regular Sabbath time, and getting the rest and support that you need so you can do your work wisely and lovingly.  

Scripture:  Matthew 11:28-30     
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” 

Meditation   
My heart does lift when I come across this familiar scripture.  Even if we are not laboring, at times we do become laden with cares and concerns.  Jesus always advised his followers to not let that happen, and through scripture we learn the message is for us as well.  Worry does us no good.  In Matthew 6:27 we hear the question, " Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"  I think most of us must admit that worry solves nothing, and depletes our energy and attention. Prayer, on the other hand, can help enormously, and that is what we are called to do.  In prayer, we come to God, unburden our hearts, surrender our concerns, give thanks, and wait for further instruction.  We can repeat as often as needed.  No where do we read that we should pray only once.     

 Every time I read this scripture, I see Jesus before me, with a heart full of light.  Light weighs nothing.  I know I am taking liberty with the text, but what I experience is an invitation to set my burdens down, and accept his light and love.  That is what his yoke is comprised of: light and love.  They weigh nothing, but they hold us fast.  In that beautiful yoke we are "safe and secure from all alarms."  In that yoke is where we all belong.

Prayer 
For our prayer this week, I thought I would include the first verse of  "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms".  This hymn was written in 1887 by Elisha A. Hoffman. Anthony J. Showalter wrote the music in the same year.   It is a reminder that no matter what, we are loved and held.  Let us follow 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18, the Apostle Paul's suggestion to "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 

What a fellowship, what a joy divine, 
Leaning on the everlasting arms; 
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine 
Leaning on the everlasting arms.   
 
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms; 
leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.     ​

Amen

Rev. Sue Ann Yarbrough
Associate Pastor, San Lorenzo Community Church, United Church of Christ
SpiritCare Ministry to Seniors
www.hearthpsalms.blogspot.com ​