You remind me of a man who was given a book by one of his new friends when he joined AA. The first line in the first chapter of the book was, "Life is hard. It was meant to be." He told me he never got further than that line, not because the book's elaboration on that point was not worthwhile but because that essence of its teaching swept away mountains and years of complaints to self, God, and the rest of the world. It got to the crux of the problem of life, as he had felt it. I, however, had never contemplated such a notion. Surely, he was missing something about "Learn of me for my yoke is easy and my burden is light." No. Jesus is making an important contradiction for the sake of comparison. But I don't think He's letting anyone off the hook of taking up one's cross and following Him.
I really appreciate this Laurna. I think you’ve put your finger on an important tension. Jesus never promises a life without difficulty. In fact, he is remarkably honest about the cost of following him. The paradox is that the burden doesn’t necessarily become smaller, but we no longer carry it alone. Perhaps that’s why he can speak of both taking up our cross and finding his yoke light. One describes the reality of discipleship; the other describes the One who walks with us through it. Thank you for this reflection.
Hi Paul, today is my birthday. Every day I read a gift from you - not merely to be informed, but to be transformed. Thank you.
Thank you so much and happy birthday ☺️
Maybe the tension was the point.
I believe that we live constantly within that tension.
When a paradox appears, look at it, look into it. Closely. For a long time.
Clearly explained. Thank you.
Yes agreed, thanks Barbara.
You remind me of a man who was given a book by one of his new friends when he joined AA. The first line in the first chapter of the book was, "Life is hard. It was meant to be." He told me he never got further than that line, not because the book's elaboration on that point was not worthwhile but because that essence of its teaching swept away mountains and years of complaints to self, God, and the rest of the world. It got to the crux of the problem of life, as he had felt it. I, however, had never contemplated such a notion. Surely, he was missing something about "Learn of me for my yoke is easy and my burden is light." No. Jesus is making an important contradiction for the sake of comparison. But I don't think He's letting anyone off the hook of taking up one's cross and following Him.
I really appreciate this Laurna. I think you’ve put your finger on an important tension. Jesus never promises a life without difficulty. In fact, he is remarkably honest about the cost of following him. The paradox is that the burden doesn’t necessarily become smaller, but we no longer carry it alone. Perhaps that’s why he can speak of both taking up our cross and finding his yoke light. One describes the reality of discipleship; the other describes the One who walks with us through it. Thank you for this reflection.
Amen to what Sharon said, and Happy Birthday to you, Sharon! 🎂🎈Another beautiful reflection, Paul.
Thank you ☺️