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Fifteen years of “stuff” was loaded into a large truck and hauled off. When first purchased, these items seemed necessary to everyday life. Now, however, they are combined under one name: junk.
Through the years, many of us have collected stuff of a different nature. We’ve formed and acquired patterns for coping with the struggles of life: methods of self-protection, modes of soothing anxious and hurt emotions and habits for dealing with difficult circumstances and people. We deemed these acquired patterns necessary to ensure a productive and happy life. Yet as we grow closer to Jesus, we realize such patterns of coping can be harmful to ourselves, as well as to others. Now, they’ve become our junk.
Junk comes in many forms but has common characteristics. Junk weighs us down and clutters our lives. Maintaining it makes us weary. What we first sought for provision and protection soon inflicts harm on us instead. Our junk hinders the abundant life we were meant to live. Speaking to a group of junk-laden people, Jesus made an amazing offer:
“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).
The removal of the physical junk brought a lightness to my soul. In much greater measure, the grace of God poured into our lives can free us from the heavy burdens we needlessly lay upon ourselves when we choose to manage our lives independently of Him. Through time spent with Jesus, He reveals the lie-based beliefs and behaviors we’ve acquired. He shows us His way, relieving and refreshing our souls with His truth. With Christ as our wisdom and strength, His ways of facing life’s challenges become our pattern for living.
Are you clinging to any junk?
Will you go to Jesus and ask Him to reveal and exchange your heavy load for His easy and light yoke?
