Instead

Again and again, you’re seeing. More and more, you’re learning. More and more, again and again. You see it, what a burden actually is, and what freedom really is.

For it takes time to step out of bondage. Oh, it does. When all you’ve known are chains. And all you’ve seen is how to fight and survive on your own, by your own strength and abilities and knowledge. When that’s all you’ve known and seen, it takes time to let go. It takes time to step into freedom. It just does.

But you see it now, how you never really knew before. How you never really knew your chains: what caused such stress but did not have to, what stole such sleep but did not need to, what took such effort but was not required to.

And now you see those chains.

You see what weighed you down was not intended to be, for life to abound. No. In order for life to abound, it never required your effort-stamping, struggle-attempting, weight-bearing or stress-carrying. Because it is not up to you. It never has been. And every time you feel the weight, know the heaviness, and experience the tiring, always tiring. Every time, you are now learning to stop. Instead. And run to Christ Jesus. Instead. For life. Instead.

Because you see the death that comes from weight-bearing. You see all the lifelessness that comes when you drift from the very Source of life. For that’s all it is. Weight-bearing and burden-carrying is always a drifting from Christ, from the very Source of life. Every time.

Jesus said, “Come to Me all who are weary and heavy-laden.” (Matthew 11:28). And instead of that weight-bearing, He will give you rest.

Because God promises, “When you come to me, you will never hunger or thirst again.” (John 6:35). And instead of that hungering for more, He will give you life eternal (John 10:27-28).

It’s true!

Instead of death from all that drifting, again and again, more and more you are seeing and learning to stop, to run to and seek the Way, the Way that gives rest and life eternal! Because it takes time to step out of bondage and into freedom. It just does. But that’s okay because it’s a learning that lasts for eternity! Stepping into Christ Jesus gives all that Christ is, for all of time eternal! Every time! And that is worth it, every time!!

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“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” - Matthew 11:28-29

“Folow Me and I will give you eternal life.” - John 10:27-28