Daily Manna · Day 66 · March 7
Come as You Are
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Many of us have become tired in a way that sleep does not fix. We wake up already behind, and the first thought of the morning is a list. We have started calling that normal for our age and our responsibilities.
Lord, we notice what You had just been doing when You said these words. You had been speaking against the towns where most of Your mighty works were done, because they "repented not": Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum. Then You prayed, "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes." You spoke this invitation out of that hard moment. Then You turned and called the worn out: "all ye that labour and are heavy laden." And You did not ask any of them to tidy up first.
We notice, too, what You offered, because we have quoted the first half for years and skipped the rest: "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart." What You offered was a different load, with a Teacher beside it, and the pace is set by Someone meek and lowly, which means gentle and humble. A yoke usually joined two oxen so that they could pull together, and You call this one Yours.
We are carrying at least one thing we picked up to prove something, and You know which one. We are also putting off at least one thing You really did hand us.
So we will take Your promise as it stands: "I will give you rest." You did not promise to clear our calendars or to explain why the year went this way. You promised "rest unto your souls," and You said, "my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." We believe You, because You have never once broken Your word. Amen.
Daily Manna runs on a two-year cycle. The year two reading for day 66 is Foundation and Fire (1 Corinthians 3:11).