TAKE SOME REST THIS CHRISTMAS

Sometimes it hits you on a Monday morning. For some people, it hits every morning. For others, it’s worst just after lunch. For still others, it hits early evening as they sit in front of the TV. There are some people who feel it all the time.

I am talking about tiredness. I have a few friends who, whenever we speak on the phone, always answer the ‘how are you?’ question with ‘O I’m just so tired’.

We live in a world of ever increasing demands. The world is infected with hurry sickness, where everything should be done quickly, by a deadline or yesterday. Our world is now run at such a pace that the people are falling down exhausted and injured, both physically and mentally. We turn to caffeine, ginseng, alcohol and high-energy drinks to fuel our desire to keep up, but we still find ourselves cracking up.

It is no accident that when Jesus addressed this problem, he drew an image from his own work. To those who are weary and weighed down he made three offers:
· Go at the right pace, and learn from me – an invitation to live a lifestyle which builds up rather than cracks us up,
· Come to me – an invitation to go to the source of all energy and power, and
· Let me share the load – an invitation to walk step-by-step with Him.

As a carpenter, Jesus would have made many yokes, wooden frames to enable animals to work as a team. So, with the carpenter’s confidence, He says ‘my yoke is easy and my burden is light’.

He seems to be saying ‘slow down, you move too fast’. Perhaps he had a sign above his shop saying ‘my yokes fit well’. He is offering to be our pacemaker.

Either way, it’s got to be a better way to live and work. Let us take some time out this Christmas to reflect on what Christmas is all about. Jesus is the reason for the season! And he is there for each one of us to share the load.

A truly happy and restful Christmas to all our readers.

Malcolm Griffith