His Commands Are Not Burdensome

"This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith" ( John 5:2-4 NIV).

As I prepare to go out of town for a few days, I have felt rather burdened--by work, by preparations for my family who I am leaving behind, by friendships I have neglected and friends I will have to put off for another week. By life! I'm not bitter . . . it's more a wistfulness, a realization that I have limited time and energy and ability . . . and yes, even limited capacity to pray and think and discern God's will.

This morning I "took a breath" and sat quietly in prayer, hoping to see a way to handle all that needs to be done, all I want to get done and maintain some small shred of sanity!

I was given the gift of an answer from a God who is so gracious to His children--all of His children. He is a God who loves us too much to leave us stranded and alone and left to our own resources. I am humbled and awed at His mercy, generosity and grace.

God's ultimate gift in the form of Jesus bids us, "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” (Matthew 11:29-30 NIV).

Blessings on your journey,

Mary

Salt and Light

" "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men. "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" "(Matthew 5:13-16 NRSV).

Some time ago, I spent quite a bit of time researching salt and its significance during the time the gospels were written. The Greeks would have considered being called the “salt of the earth” a very high compliment. Salt was very labor-intensive to produce in a useable form and had to be transported long distances—it was extracted from salt water, so if you didn’t leave near an ocean or sea, it was costly to access it. In other words, it was costly, but highly valued. Not only was salt essential for consumption, and as a preservative for food, but also as an insulator in the stone ovens used to prepare food. Most often, dung or mud was formed into bricks and salt was pressed into the bricks so they would burn longer.

In “The Power of Intention,” Dr. Dyer talks about how we can influence the “energy” that encompasses and enfolds our lives. He contends we have the power to choose light or dark—and that when we choose light, we make a decision to live within the most power. The depiction he gives is to think about walking into a pitch black room and turning on the light switch. The light absorbs the dark and overcomes and overwhelms it. Since we believe Christ is the light of the world, and as His disciples we are to spread His light to the world, we can think about our spreading the Good News as eliminating and absorbing all the darkness/evil in the world!

While we’re busy insulating others from the forces of evil, and sustaining them with the life-giving Good News, we are also to remember that it is the Good News of Jesus Christ that should be our focus! The glory is His. The light emanates and originates from Him. A handwritten note in my bible, from who-knows-when states: the moon has no light of its own—rather it reflects the light of the sun. And we are to reflect the light of the Son.

We are to be the salt and the light for all the lost of the world. We are to offer an alternative to sin and suffering to God’s children. We are to light the way to the Cross for those who have not heard the message of salvation. We are to be the salt of the earth and the light on the hill for all the world. It’s a big job. It’s an important job. But if we think about the job that Christ came to earth to do, it doesn’t seem so difficult. Rather, it feels more like and honor and a privilege to be valued and desired enough to be a disciple of our blessed Savior!

I hope today you shine the light of Christ for everyone you meet. And that you savor the saltiness of God’s word for your life.

Blessings on your journey,
Mary


This devotion was originally posted at Worship for the Weekday, where over 650 devotional messages are available for reprint or republication. Just leave me a message and I'll contact you with details.

He Said, “Come”

Then he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24. but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. 25. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. 27. But immediately he spoke to them, saying, "Take heart, it is I; have no fear." 28. And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water." 29. He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; 30. but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." 31. Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32. And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God" (Matthew 14:22-33 NIV).

My favorite place on earth is the beach – any beach – as long as there is sand. I find myself yearning for the ocean if I haven’t been there in a while. I have a ritual or a routine when I visit the beach. I like to just stand on the boardwalk and breathe in deeply with my eyes closed. I take in the sound of the waves and inhale the fresh salty air.

My lungs fill with the briny mist of “ocean air.” I stand still for a while and then I lick my lips. It’s not until I taste the saltiness that I really begin to unwind and take in the beauty and power of the sea. At that point I begin my sojourn back to nature and rhythm and order in accordance with God’s creation plan.

I like to visit the beach in the winter because I am all but alone and it becomes my own personal journey back to the water and the sand. My hair starts to frizz immediately, but I literally feel the pores of my skin opening up and rejoicing to be cleansed and refreshed by the salty mist. I like to go for long walks and look out at the horizon where water meets sky.

I think about Jesus and Peter in the boat at times like that. Jesus walking to his friends to comfort them, to reassure them, perhaps even to save them from drowning. And poor Peter – so much like each of us! He desperately wants to trust Jesus. He even takes a bold step out onto the water. When he began to sink, he must have felt as I do when a huge wave crashes over me and I can’t tell up from down or sky from ocean floor. It’s a terrible, frightening feeling – almost as if you are about to die!

I am ashamed to admit how many times I “start to trust Jesus.” All too often I don’t end up trusting him! I take back my thoughts or my plans. He’s not acting quickly enough. Things aren’t going the way I envisioned them. I’m not in control! Never mind, Jesus, I’ve got this one—but thanks. Oh, but then I begin to sink. And I flounder and sometimes I start to go under.

That is the point at which I tell Jesus, “Oh, what I said before—never mind! I really do need you. Please save me.” And of course, He always does. Sometimes He lets me flounder around a while until I learn the lesson. But He never lets me sink all the way down.

He bids us to come to Him. “Keep your eyes on me,” he instructs us. “I will walk with you,” He promises. And we believe him – for a while. Like Peter we forget the instructions. We start to think about all the what-ifs and buts and maybes. Jesus gives us one simple, infallible, timeless, and all-purpose command. “Come.” So easy, and yet so difficult.

My prayer today is that you breathe in the love of Jesus with every breath you take. And that you remember there is only one thing you need to get where you’re going: obey when Jesus bids you, “Come.”

Blessings on your journey,
Mary


This was originally posted at Worship for the Weekday, January 27, 2006.