My father was at a low point in his life. He’d lost his marriage, his home, and his ability to live a normal life. Alcoholism imprisoned him. I tried to comfort him, but my words didn’t help.
One day, I read Jesus’ words to him, “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” (Matthew 11:28-30 NASB).
I explained to Dad that Jesus wanted to give him rest from his life shattering burden and to shoulder what he’d been carrying for so long. He wept.
As a child, my grandparents had taken my dad to church, but the philosophies of the military college he attended led him to doubt God’s existence. When I was growing up, my mom was the one who took us to church. Dad rarely joined us.
But Jesus’ words that day opened up the eyes of his heart.
Come to Me
I love these verses as well. They speak deeply to my often-burdened heart. Sometimes, because I’ve moved ahead of God to do my own things, or, because of the ferociousness of life, I feel weary and heavy-ladened, just like Dad.
“Weary and heavy-laden” – fatigued and over-burdened.
“Come” – “come hither” or “come this way”.
Jesus invites us to come to Him and remain with Him, to journey with Him. He promises to give us true rest, to take our burdens upon Himself, to teach us His gentle, humble heart as we travel together.
Dad’s Conversion and Continued Struggles
Eventually, Dad entrusted his life to Christ. We went to Bible studies together, and he was a part of our small group. He’d have seasons of sobriety, but he still struggled.
There was a gap between his reality and the deliverance he longed for. He went to alcoholics anonymous meetings and was in and out of rehab centers.
All along, he’d been asking God to help him quit, but it wasn’t working.
Lord, You do it, I Can’t
One day he came to the end of himself and cried, “God. I’ve tried everything I know. This isn’t working. I can’t do this. You’re going to have to do it.”
At that moment, Dad stopped asking God to help him. He started asking God, who Indwelled Him, to be his self-control.
A bit later, after cutting the grass, he opened a beer and took a sip. It tasted horrible. He poured it out and never had another drop to drink the last fifteen years of his life.
Our Union with Christ
Dad modeled for me a powerful truth. Christ Himself is our life.
Jesus said. “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5 NASB).
Paul said it this way, “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13 NASB)
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me (Galatians 2:20 NASB).
God never designed us to live life apart from Him. God pierced Christ for our transgressions [1] so that He might share His life with us. By God’s doing, we’ve been placed in Christ [2] and seated with Him in heavenly places. [3] We’re indwelt by the Holy Spirit of Jesus. [4]
As children of God, we’re new creations. [5] We’re united with Christ. God’s purpose is to transform us into the image of His Son. [6] But His way is not for us to try harder to improve ourselves. We died and our lives are now hidden in Christ. Christ now is our life. [7] We’re to yield to Him.
Challenge
What are you currently struggling with in your walk with Christ? Like my dad, it could be an addiction. It might have to do with a relationship, finances, a job, your health.
Like in my dad’s case, anything which causes us to realize we can’t, and God can, has the possibility to draw us deeper into our true-Life Source, but it takes humility and utter dependence.
We need to say, along with my dad, “God, I’ve tried everything I know to escape this burden. I can’t do it. Please work through me.”
Prayer
Dear Lord, as hard as it was to see my dad struggle with alcoholism, thank You that in his desperation, he cried out to You. Thank You that You opened the eyes of his heart to believe You exist and that You love him. Thank You that he surrendered his life to You and eventually trusted You for deliverance from his addiction.
Thank You for showing him that the Christian Life is not about trying harder but about trusting You in our weaknesses. And thank You for allowing dad to live in sobriety the remaining years of his life.
Amen.
Robert Elroy Buck III, whom I am named after, went to be with Jesus on April 30th, 2011.
Thanks Dad. I miss you.
[1] Isaiah 53:5
[2] I Corinthians 1:30
[3] Ephesians 2:6
[4] Ephesians 1:13
[5] II Corinthians 5:17
[6] Romans 8:29
[7] Colossians 3:3-4
Other posts in our series In the Moments:
Sorrowful, Yet Always Rejoicing
Exploring Grace and Joy together
Quiddity. It Could Change Your Life
Finding Joy in Love and Relationships
When I don’t Feel God’s Loving Kindness
Experiencing Completeness in Christ
On the Fifth Day God Created Dog
A No Lose Situation, Even with Cancer
Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures.
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Nonfiction books by the Author:
Because joy is rooted in God and is eternal, it doesn’t ebb and flow with the waves of circumstances. In fact, as we grow in our understanding of joy, we can even experience it more acutely when life is hard. Why? Because God uses trials to conform us into the image of Christ. With this awareness, which gives us glimpses of God’s greater purposes, we rejoice because of His masterful work to free us from needing anything but Him.
For these reasons, and many others, joy in the Lord is commanded in scripture. It’s not just a good idea, it’s vital to our journey as human beings. Rhythms of Joy
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Please Check out the Cola City Podcast . Discussions that impact the vision of reaching every man, woman, and child in a city.
Another rich insight you share here. I’m so glad you gave God the glory and highlighted the simple plea we ALL need in our lives:” Lord, You work in me what ONLY YOU can do. I release my dependence on myself and expect You to accomplish Your will in my life!”
Thank you, brother, for sharing your journey with us.
Thank you so much dear sister!