This Easter season, I’m exhausted. I come to God tired and weary after a long year of ministry. From ski trips to 30-hour famines, from staff transitions to Youth Sunday services, it seems as if it has been one stressful event after another. I have enjoyed each of these events and the time with our students, but by the end of Lent, I’m exhausted. Criticism has weighed down on me heavily, and I have wondered at times if all the stress is really worth it.
Our pastor used an image in worship this past Sunday that spoke to my exhaustion. He asked us to picture ourselves carrying heavy suitcases into the sanctuary, struggling down the aisle with them, but then placing them in front of the altar. He asked us to picture those suitcases as our burdens — the ones that are heavy and feel as if they are weighing us down. It reminded me of the Scripture passage we used recently for our Youth Sunday service. “Come to Me, all 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” (
Often I feel as if working for God is burdensome. We carry around the stress of always trying to measure up to people’s expectations, the stress of trying to get everything done on time, the burden of the pain in our students’ lives. Yet, this passage reminds us God’s burden is light. He can carry the pain, stress and tension for us. He desires for us to rest and know His gentle spirit.
That is what I hope and pray for this Easter, a renewed spirit and mind and moments of rest. As I come to the foot of the cross, I hope to bring my suitcases full of burdens and release them to the One whose yoke is light. I pray for the joy of the resurrection to renew my heart and remind me what ministry is all about.
