Higher Ground

Imagine walking down Main Street in your town, carrying two five-gallon buckets filled to the brim with water, each weighing about 50 pounds. You move slowly, eyes fixed on the ground, each step guarded for fear of water sloshing out or falling under the heavy burden.

No, your life is not burdened with water, but it is filled with the heavy concerns that you carry. Insecurity, pride, trauma, false narratives, guilt, sin, anxiety, anger, and exhaustion may plague you every day, even every moment. The longer you carry those buckets of burdens, the heavier they become.

Jesus meets you on the main street of your life to offer an invitation of hope, help, and freedom from those burdens.

Jesus first invites you to “Come to me . . .” (Matthew 11:28). That invitation is to ALL who carry buckets of burdens, and the promise is He will give you rest and salvation—real freedom from those burdens. The Psalmist wrote, “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him” (Psalm 62:1).

Then Jesus said, “Take my yoke . . .” (Matthew 11:29). Paradoxically, Jesus lightens your load by giving His yoke. You surrender and obey Him, and HE in turn partners with you in life and provides rest for your soul. Jesus lets you know His yoke is easy. It will not choke you; it will not drag you down. It is custom made for you—His “burden is light” (Matthew 11:30).

Thirdly, Jesus said, “Learn from me . . .” (Matthew 11:29). Jesus is the best teacher for He is “gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:30). He is right here with you through life, guiding, teaching, and assisting. You learn from the G.O.A.T.!

“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens” (Psalm 68:19).