American journalist James Surowiecki recently wrote this interesting quote:
“Technology is supposed to make our lives easier, allowing us to do things more quickly and efficiently. But too often it seems to make things harder, leaving us with fifty-button remote controls, digital cameras with hundreds of mysterious features and book-length manuals, and cars with dashboard systems worthy of the space shuttle.”
How many of us would agree that the technology that was supposed to make our lives easier can make an experience that’s the exact opposite?
When I think about this phenomenon, Matthew 11 and the “rest” that Jesus offers us comes to mind (Matthew 11:28). He invites all those who have “heavy burdens” to come to Him so that He can give them rest—but the rest He offers is a yoke, seemingly another burden! (Matthew 11:29). How are we supposed to find rest by taking another burden upon our shoulders? There’s an implication we often overlook in this passage: that Jesus means for us to put down our burden and take up His in its place—discovering that His burden is easier and lighter in comparison! This sense of putting down our first burden is more clearly captured in 1 Peter 5:7, which tells us to cast or throw our burdens on Jesus because He cares for us.
This is so often why I fail to find rest in Christ—because I don’t lay down my worldly burden but try to carry both at the same time. And it’s little wonder that I feel weary in my life. But in order to experience the rest of Christ that is described here, I must put down my first burden and take up Jesus’ light yoke, resting in Him and His power. For He is “humble and gentle at heart” (Matthew 11:29).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Genesis 43:1-34
More:
Read Matthew 16:24-25 to see how we are supposed to gain our lives by first losing them!
Next:
Why is the yoke that Christ offers us light and easy compared to that of the world? What does it mean for you to lay down your burdens before Him?
gagirllive on January 27, 2016 at 4:22 am
So true, Peter. I only have a smartphone, and too often, it seems to be a burden. Jesus, my Shepherd-King, has to remind me often that I’m a sheep…and sheep are not burden-bearing creatures! So grateful that we can find our rest in Him. Thanks, Peter.
vmarip on January 27, 2016 at 7:45 am
I love that analogy; “we are sheep and sheep are not burden bearing creatures.”.. God bless you!
peter chin on January 27, 2016 at 12:11 pm
Agreed, what a wonderful analogy to explain this idea!
Mike Wittmer on January 27, 2016 at 5:13 am
Amen, Peter! This is one of the benefits of enjoying a Sabbath rest, not because I have to but because I get to. When I turn off technology and work and just do what seems fun, I am able to better rest in Jesus.
vmarip on January 27, 2016 at 8:11 am
Oh Mike, I pray that more people will get it right about the Sabbath; it is God’s Way, and not for us to decide. he created it for Him, and he proclaimed it Forever, and if we would only follow His Lead, and do it the way He says, then we would truly find Shalom…. It isn’t just ethereal; or a Heavenly thought about going to church; it is an actual day that God Himself set aside for Himself, first and His Creation, and that we as His Number One Creation are suppose to partake in, and how could we not. this is why the world has glubbed the Sabbath Day up with too much “fun time” busy; going shopping; going to the movies; j going visiting; going to sporting events…. everything becomes more important than spending God’s Day with God. when, in fact, nothing is more important. Now that I know the Truth about it, I spend my Day with the Lord; singing praises to Him, lost in His Word.. the whole Day… It is my favorite day now, and I wish I could do it every day… I guess I will have t wait until I am 90… God forbid I have to wait that long for the Rapture….
Gary Shultz on January 27, 2016 at 6:09 am
Good reminder we just don’t dump our burdens and walk, we have other work to do we have other ideas to be opened and pick up. The Christian life is not always easy, but we do get much help and hope. How can that not be better? To me laying down my burdens is somewhat the same, the empty, the opening, being before God’s presence, an amazing opportunity…….. Ok, now I have to ask how Mike got up that early to comment already? Ha! And of course I do have to get some licks in on technology, it doesn’t always help that much, it runs lives, and some folks are hardly aware of their surroundings. Yes, I do have a phrase – “getting dumb on your smart phone”. I feel much better now. Thanks Peter.
vmarip on January 27, 2016 at 7:42 am
This word for today is so true, Brother. and just this morning, I was saying these very same things to the Holy Spirit! Isn’t He so kind and Compassionate to let me know that He is with me on the journey; and not as a body guard ; aloof, and standing aback a ways, there, but not personal… no, He is right here, right next to me, with His hand always on my shoulder, or mine always in His; enjoying and listening and participating in my conversation with Him; guiding me on this narrow Path; instructing me in the tasks the Father has set before me…. with a companion like this, how can the work required be too much or too hard? What a great exchange! ; the back-braking, heavy rough loathsome yoke of the world ; for the light, soft, smooth yoke of Jesus! It’s my coals for His diamonds! He didn’t say is was easy, but light. If it was too easy, it would not help us to grow in Him… It would make us weak, and not strong in Faith… we would stay like babies still drinking milk, and miss out on the filet mignon!
Tom Felten on January 27, 2016 at 8:48 am
Peter, we were discussing this idea in a small group at church last week. One thing that resting in Jesus allows is for us to draw closer to Him and experience the abundant life that can never be found in technology. Technology can definitely be a blessing, but it can’t replace the joy of being in the presence of the one who loves and cherishes us!
jim spillane on January 27, 2016 at 12:14 pm
Satan will try to do anything he can to keep us from spending time with our Heavenly Father. If we allow too many things to fill our day, including the many forms of technology, and allow our calendar to become too full, we become overly busy and Satan sits back and smiles. B-U-S-Y = Burdened Under Satan’s Yoke.
BearPair on March 22, 2016 at 9:50 am
Good words, Peter–Thanks! “Put Down” first! A favorite old hymn: Jesus, Jesus, I am resting, in the joy of what Thou art… What precious truthes!