Following Jesus is about doing less, not more

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” — Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

Have you ever read these words and thought "come again, Jesus?" If you've been a christian for longer than a few months, then you've probably had a moment where being a christian didn't feel easy.

Maybe it was a conflict at work, or perhaps it was a friend who just didn't get your faith, or maybe it was just a family squable where "WWJD" was the exact opposite of what hangry you wanted.

But if I had to bet, I'd guess it was something more simple.

Like a stressful and long week from work where you have some some small ministry duty at church. And then you hear the sermon which says "Don't be a Sunday Christian". UFF!

When you're already stressed out, Jesus feels like an extra burden on top.

I've certainly felt that way at times, but after reading John Mark Comer's recent book, Practicing The Way, I realised I was getting this verse all wrong.

Don't add Jesus' load on, replace your load instead

In Matthew 11, Jesus' instruction sounds like an addition problem, but it's really a substitution.

It's not "Add my load and it becomes easy."

It's "Swap your way of living for my yoke (a metaphor for a Rabbi's teaching) and it is easier than the way your living."

It's like that one interpretation of the camel and the eye of the needle. The theory is that the eye of the needle was a small gate in Jerusalem, and for a camel to pass though, it would have to take off its load. (I think it's more likely that Jesus is saying it's impossible, but I like the idea.)

But just think about it from a practical perspective: How can adding more make it lighter?

Yes, Jesus (and the spirit) make tiresome work joyful, and gives us energy when we have none, but that same God made rest and made it holy. The Sabbath is instigated right at the start of the Bible, it's a core part of the Law of Moses, and Jesus doesn't take it away but points to how he is the true Sabbath.

A few simple ways to do less for Jesus

It's pretty easy to find things we can stop doing for Jesus.

• Not watching a TV series in the evening
• Not spending money on a discretionary item
• Not eating (and spending the time in prayer instead)
• Not having a side hustle, trying to build social influence or a write blog (errrrr...)

But it could be bigger, like not taking a promotion that would add extra stress. Or perhaps Focusing less on self development, whether mental or physical, and instead focusing on being with Jesus. After all, spiritual formation and self development are very different (but that's an essay for another day).

"This one thing I do..."

Since my kids were born, I've been giving up more and more activities.

I just haven't had the time and trying to keep up left me feeling constantly stressed.

While there were some things that were very easy to give up, there was always something that hurt to give up. Eventually that changed. At some point it became not what I would give up, but what few, core things I'd keep.

That was far easier.

In the letter to the church in Philippi, The apostle Paul wrote:

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus. - Phil 3:13

Life can still be difficult at moments, but Jesus' words are true.

His load is easy. He is Gentle and lowly of heart. In him I find my rest.

I hope you can too.