Weary? Heavy-hearted?

Larry Gatlin wrote a song which Johnny Cash recorded, and one we sang many times, it was called simply, “Help Me.” Part of the lyrics said: Lord, Help me walk Another mile, just one more mile; I’m tired of walkin’ all alone. Lord, Help me smile Another smile, just one more smile; You know I just can’t make it on my own.  If you read the Psalms you find many times that the Psalmist David said these same words, over and over again. He may have said in different ways but these words capture the heart of the writer.

Sometimes it is called depression, but I call it just plain being weary. The definition for “weary” is physically or mentally exhausted by hard work, exertion, strain, etc.; fatigued; tired: weary eyes; a weary brain. I think “a weary brain”, describes us best, we do it to ourselves! We think we are super heroes and that no one, I mean NO one can do the job we do, better than us! We take on things God never assigned to us, and then complain because we have been over extended.

It happens a lot of times with new Christians. They give their heart to God and then jump into the work of the church with both feet. I say it that way because the work of the church and work for God are two completely different matters!

Jesus said Matthew 11:28-30 Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Jesus never commanded you to be a greeter or usher, on two committees at one time, join the prayer group, go to every meeting that is called for everything you do, meanwhile leaving your family unattended and your spouse a little angry because you are always absent, so, using the church as an excuse you realize you are doing too much so instead of cutting down on some of your activities, you just quit church!

I have seen it many times through all the years of being raised in and then working for the church. When you hear of divorce and affairs among pastors, youth leaders, music directors, it is because they have spent so much time away from their own spouse they form relationships with people who become inappropriate and end with tragedy.

Did God ask them to do that? No, He only wants us to worship Him, and show others the way to salvation.

He never asked for mammoth building programs, or all the other programs we take on ourselves. Charity is handing that woman who is standing outside the grocery store asking for money the gift card you have been saving to use for something special, or donating canned goods to your local church or food pantry.

1 Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

If you are overcome by weariness of the work without the uplifting of Worship, you will fold; the devil has then done his job and done it well!

1 Peter5: 7 “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you!” 

Psalm 23 says, the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want, He lets me rest in green pastures, He leads me beside the still waters, He RESTORES my soul, He leads me in paths of righteousness, for His name’s sake. Even if I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I will not fear evil for He is WITH ME!

Let Him restore your weary soul, Peace!