OUR BURDENS by T. E. Bowen

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 18, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 44.

OUR BURDENS.

By T. E. Bowen

EVERY person that has arrived at years of understanding, has burdens. These, at times, seem hard to bear, and yet they are given us to carry until the hand of death bids us lay them down.

Each person has burdens peculiar to himself, and cannot exchange with another for those that would be more easily borne. If, then, it is our lot to bear such as are placed upon us by an unseen hand, is it not wise for us to learn the best methods for bearing them? While it is true that many of our burdens are self-made, and some caused by others, it is equally true that Christ has come to us with an invitation full of love and compassion, saying: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matt. 11: 28–30.

“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” To those that are toiling underneath a load of sin, this comforting invitation is given. Come unto me. Why toil alone any longer beneath your heavy burden? I will give you rest. Precious rest! Have you ever experienced it? If so, you know its worth. It is far more precious than gold, and of infinitely more value than rubies. It is something the world can neither give nor take away.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Christ’s yoke is a yoke of love, and hence is easily borne. His meekness and lowliness of heart saved him from many of the troubles and burdens which we persist in carrying. He tells us, however, to learn of him, or be profited by his example. Worldly applause and ambition should be guarded against. We are cautioned to “love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2: 15. Do you think we shall obtain rest unto our souls if the love of the Father is not in us?—Never; because that which constitutes our rest is the fact that God’s love does dwell within us. Remove his love and our rest is gone.

We are about as simple in regard to carrying our burdens as the man who was invited to ride by a friend. This weary traveler had been carrying his heavy load all day, and being overtaken by his friend, was invited to ride. He gladly accepted the offer, but continued carrying his burden on his shoulders. Finally the gentleman asked him why he did not throw his load down into the wagon. The traveler replied by saying, “You were so kind to invite me to ride that I thought it would be asking too much to require you to draw my burden also.”

It is thus with many of us. Christ is carrying us just as we are, and yet we have such a jealous care for our burden that we cannot intrust this with him, thinking it is too much for him to bear. Thus Satan is deceiving us and cheating us out of the promised rest. Let us trust our truest Friend, giving to him all our burdens; and after giving them up, forever leave them with him, and his promise will surely be verified to us, “And ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

Trust the Lord in days of gladness, Trust in him through time of grief, Trust, though full thy heart of sadness, For by trusting comes relief. Bring to Christ thy cares and burdens, Gently lay them at his feet; Go thy way, thy troubles leaving Here before his mercy-seat.

T. E. BOWEN.