My father was at a low point in his life. He\u2019d lost his marriage, his home, and his ability to live a normal life. He was imprisoned by alcoholism. I tried to comfort him, but my words didn\u2019t help.<\/p>\n
But one day, I read Jesus\u2019 words to him, \u201cCome to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest.\u201d<\/span>[1]<\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n I read the rest of the chapter and explained to Dad that Jesus wanted to give him the rest from this great burden. He began to cry. The philosophies of his college had led Dad to doubt God\u2019s existence. But Jesus’ words opened up the eyes of his heart. Eventually, Dad entrusted his life to Christ.<\/p>\n But Dad still struggled. There was a gap between his reality and the deliverance he longed for. He tried dozens of alcoholics anonymous meetings and was in and out of rehab centers. Nothing worked.<\/p>\n All along he\u2019d been asking God to help him quit, but it wasn\u2019t working. One day he came to the end of himself and cried, \u201cGod. I\u2019ve tried everything I know. This isn\u2019t working. I can\u2019t do this. You\u2019re going to have to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Dad modeled for me a very powerful truth. Christ Himself is our life.<\/p>\n Jesus said. \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/span>[2]<\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Paul said it this way, \u201cfor it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.\u201d<\/span>[3]<\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n We were never designed to live life apart from God. Christ was pierced through for our transgressions[4]<\/a> in order that He might share His life with us. By God\u2019s doing, we\u2019ve been placed in Christ[5]<\/a> and seated with Him in heavenly places.[6]<\/a> We’re indwelt by the Holy Spirit.[7]<\/a><\/p>\n As children of God, we’re new creations. [8]<\/a> We’re united with Christ. God’s purpose is to transform us into the image of His Son. [9]<\/a> But His way is not for us to try harder to improve ourselves. God never intended to make a better version of us. We died and our lives are now hidden in Christ. Christ now is our life. [10]<\/a><\/p>\n Anything which causes us to realize we can’t and God can, especially the unthinkable tragedy, has the possibility to draw us deeper into our true Life Source. It comes with humility and utter dependence.<\/p>\n Perhaps in our situations we need to say along my dad, \u201cGod. I\u2019ve tried everything I know. This isn\u2019t working. I can\u2019t do this. You\u2019re going to have to do it.”<\/span><\/p>\n Thanks Dad. I miss you.<\/p>\n \u201cCome to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.<\/span><\/span> 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<\/span>.<\/span><\/span> For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.\u201d (Matthew 11:28-30 NASB)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n [1]<\/a> Matthew 11:28 NASB<\/p>\n [2]<\/a> John 15:5<\/p>\n [3]<\/a> Philippians 2:13<\/p>\n [4]<\/a> Isaiah 53:5<\/p>\n [5]<\/a> I Corinthians 1:30<\/p>\n [6]<\/a> Ephesians 2:6<\/p>\n [7]<\/a> Ephesians 1:13<\/p>\n [8]<\/a> II Corinthians 5:17<\/span><\/p>\n [9]<\/a> Romans 8:29<\/p>\n [10]<\/a> Colossians 3:3-4<\/span><\/p>\n Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures. Subscribe below to get email notifications of new posts. We post a few times a month. Thank you for reading. <\/em><\/p>\n <\/em>Novels by the Author:<\/p>\n