What is the solution to our problem of pain and struggle? The solution for removing the pain’s presence is found in God.
Practical Application of Spiritual Truth
As a college student, I sang in a collegiate singing group of nine young women called Triple Trio. We traveled on weekends to perform in churches as a way to minister in the local church and also to represent the Christian college. During our performances for churches, it was my voice that recited the words to Matthew 11:28-30.
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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Then the group sang the song, “Come Unto Me.” It was pure loveliness. I can still replay the words and harmony in my memory with its alto notes resonating in deep tones. Many times I quoted that passage of Scripture, so much so that its words soon became a treasure to me. I have loved its message ever since.
Matthew 11:28-30 is the passage I have chosen to document my message of the hope. It will be the text we study to find a way for inner transformation that leads to healing and a closer relationship with God, a spiritual intervention that I have experienced when God intervened in my life to free me of my pain and painful issues, and I believe is offered to others as a means to access in fullness a life of freedom in and through God.
There are many other scriptures which could have been selected. Throughout God’s Word we find stories and verses which illustrate the concept of closeness with God, a relationship that is meaningful, helps us with the problem of pain in our lives, and demonstrates the process God will use to draw us closer to Himself.
This scripture acknowledges the struggle in life–that we are tired, weary, and in pain, weary and heavy laden–that it is God who will help us as we seek to become fully whole and fully real as followers of Christ, we will find rest for our souls. He is the one who gives spiritual rest with its peaceful presence.
This one is personal. The remainder of this writing will be a personal commentary. I will use this scripture passage as a means for sharing the truth and as a way to demonstrate how God ministers to our personal, spiritual, and emotional needs. He meets us where we’re at; He comes along side us; He offers to assist and guide us; When we respond, He proceeds to set us free. This will not be a word study, rather, it is a practical application of Scripture for the purpose off personal and spiritual growth and it has the power to work in our lives to set us free in our inner lives.
For the next several posts, we will move through this passage, phrase by phrase, to glean principles for Christian living and our own “Spiritual Intervention.” Our next post will present the need for “coming” to God with warts and all.
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©N. L. Brumbaugh
