Welcoming our Weariness
Jesus had plenty moments of tiredness during his ministry. And he also made a specific invitation to those who were tired:
“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.” - Matthew 11:28-30
But the thing about weariness is that we’re tempted to banish it. We are tempted to sugarcoat it or get busy to pretend it’s not there or to distract ourselves with entertainment or food to numb its effects. But what if we were to think of it as an old friend.
Take a few moments with your tiredness now. You might even say, within your heart, “Tiredness, my old friend, you are welcome here. Come join me at table and talk with me.” See if your tiredness might talk with you. What might this old friend have to say? Now imagine that Jesus is serving the two of you communion…
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We read this poem in church yesterday (at least the first half of it). See if reading it adds any additional insights into the conversation you’re having with your tiredness and with Jesus.
Tired
I am so tired of waiting,
Aren't you,
For the world to become good
And beautiful and kind?
Let us take a knife
And cut the world in two -
And see what worms are eating
At the rind.