Articles
Weariness!
Working hard all day at a physical activity leads to a tiredness we can all relate to. We all
know the relief of being able to finally sit down and rest. The great thing about physical tiredness
is that usually after a time of rest we feel better and are able to return to our activity. When Jesus
talks about those who are weary in the book of Matthew, Jesus is talking about a weariness of
spirit or mind. We seem to be seeing this a lot in our modern society. I know many of us have
felt that weariness of facing a long-term challenge that wears us down. That mental weariness is
a kind of fatigue that physical rest often does not help.
Jesus tells us there is an answer when the world wears us down. “Come to Me, all who
are weary and heavy-laden, 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). We should not be surprised to see that even
positive things can wear us down. “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season
we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).
God knows what it is like to face a long-term task. The patience He has shown mankind
and the amount of effort and time He has put into His people is beyond our understanding. The
writer of Isaiah reminds us that God does not grow weary. “Have you not known? Have you not
heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or
grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable” (Isaiah 40:28). Our work here on earth may
seem like it will never end but God tells us that one day there will be a reward for our hard work,
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should
not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). ~B Tolbert
