Matthew 11:25-30
25 At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, 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.”
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…
This Independence Day feels different. I still feel proud and thrilled when I see the Stars & Stripes fluttering in the breeze, and I still have a deep and profound devotion to the country of my birth. It feels like that’s the prevailing sentiment today. And yet, we remain painfully divided in ways that feel increasingly insurmountable. Maybe those two things aren’t mutually exclusive. Maybe part of what makes this the land of the free and the home of the brave is our willingness to disagree and debate. Maybe, deep down, that person I can’t seem to agree with on any point meets me at the place of love for our country.
Our first instinct when we’re faced with conflict is to defend ourselves, to stand our ground and protect what’s ours. Jesus offers a better way. As followers of Jesus, we are commanded to love everyone as Jesus loves us. And he promises that we don’t have to do this alone – that he is yoked with us in all things. 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.
Maybe today, it’s enough to salute the flag together, to ooo and ahhhh at the fireworks together, to share the same space for awhile. Maybe, it’s enough to believe that, even though we come to it from many different directions, when we say, “God bless America”, we all mean it. And maybe, that small point of unity will see us through.
Prayer: Lord Jesus: When the powers of this world feel overwhelming, help me remember to run to you, where I will find rest for my soul. AMEN