Many of us as kids likely at one time proudly proclaimed, “I can do it myself!”. For me, I lived those words long after I was a child. As I entered college, I wanted to prove that I could do it by myself, that I did not need any help, and that I was in control. I even intentionally sat in the back of class, not participating and refusing to ask my professors for help to prove that I had it under control. Man, I was a mess.
Then, I began to realize how extremely discontent I was. On the outside, I was doing well, had good grades, and plenty of friends, but inside, I was miserable. I struggled to pull myself out of this funk. Still, I just knew that I could figure it out. I knew that I could fix my problems myself. But really, I couldn’t.
Finally, the summer before my junior year, I just broke down. I was exhausted. I knew I could not keep going on like this. So I asked for help. With tears streaming down my face, I pleaded with God to help me. I just repeated three simple words over and over again: please help me. And you know what, God did. Immediately, I felt a weight off my shoulders as if God was lifting my burdens. I felt a peace that I am not sure I ever had. I was not alone and I was ecstatic.
It was not until many years later that I realized the beauty of Matthew 11:28- 30. God is there for us and wants to teach us a better way. Yes, there is still work to be done. But this work, this yoke, is His, and His yoke is true rest for our souls.