I hope for many of you that means you have had an extended restful and renewing holiday.
If you were unable to have a holiday then perhaps you enjoyed taking the public holiday days off.
As I sit here writing to you on Monday, January 29, I hope you are refreshed.
For me it has been a long four years since I was able to go back to the United States, where I was born.
I have missed spending time in Texas and visiting with family and friends.
By God’s grace I was able to return and spend time with family.
I enjoyed my Tex-Mex, visiting and hunting out good coffee. Truth be told, American coffee is terrible but we found some great coffee shops.
I enjoyed cheering on Texas Christian University in the national college gridiron championship and the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League playoffs. Unfortunately, neither of my teams brought it home.
Holidays are about fun and renewing the spirit. I caught up on some shows I like and had deep and meaningful chats with those I love.
The things I was involved in reminded me it is important to take time out. I was also reminded that life cannot be an extended holiday.
This year some of us might find ourselves overwhelmed and struggling. Life is not always on a clear projection of coping. Life has a way of throwing a curve ball.
Forgive the American baseball illustration. How can God help us when things are rough and overwhelming?
On the plane home I began to think of the things I needed to do. That included focusing on the urgent things that were before me. I began to think of things that needed to happen this year. I have to admit I was beginning to feel that peaceful joy of holidays slipping away. I began to feel overwhelmed.
As I began to slip into panic I was reminded that God does not want us to live that way. In fact, Jesus promised us peace even when we might be struggling with things getting out of control.
Matthew 11:28-30 says: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, 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.”
This year does not have to be overwhelming. We do not have to be caught up in running down, just hanging for another holiday to help us cope. This year we can have Jesus as a part of our life. We can come to him and share our burdens with him.
To do this we need to trust Jesus and through prayer ask for his help. Will you do that?
Rev. Rob Tanner,
New Life Baptist Church
18°C