We push ourselves to be better, to get closer to God, to witness more, to work harder, to repent more thoroughly, to surrender more fully, to die deeper to self, etc. All of this needs to be done, but we must know that at the end of the road if there is not generous grace and mercy, none of us has a prayer. I can’t be good enough or work hard enough to gain acceptance. We sometimes require of ourselves a perfection that the Father does not, though our self-righteous ego may require it. My Father is waiting for me to rest in Him; He is longing for my companionship. He loves me. He wants me to be with Him and receive His embrace; He wants to teach me a better way through taking up His yoke.
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28–30 (NLT)
