When we look to Jesus, we see a couple of things: First, we’ve strayed from the path he’s leading us in. And secondly, we see him lovingly and graciously calling us back to him.

If your walk with Jesus involves little to no work, take a moment to assess where you’re at. If the extent of your Christian community is small talk during breakfast between services, if the only time you serve is playing five songs on a Sunday, if the extent of your prayer life is the pre-service rally, the extent of you experiencing the presence of God only on Sundays – you’re missing out on all God has for you. That is not being alive in Christ. It’s barely getting by.

There’s so much more for your life than that.

Fear not. This work isn’t something you won’t be able to handle. The task is great, but the one helping you is greater. There’s beautiful assurance in verse 30 – His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. Rest assured, Jesus is walking right beside you. There’s work involved in following Jesus, but there’s no striving.

Maybe that looks like getting into a small group for the first time and pushing past the fear of judgement or anxiety of sharing your life. Maybe that means turning off the noise of your devices so you can be still with God. Maybe that means asking the Lord how you can bring the light of the Gospel into your community.

These things seem daunting, but his burden is light. I promise you the way of Jesus is easier than striving.

Here’s the bottom line. We will never find rest for our anxious hearts if we don’t do it on Jesus’ terms. To take Jesus’ yoke means to follow his way. He gives us grace for the journey and rest for our souls when we follow his way.

We aren’t doing it alone. When we’re yoked to him, we lean on his strength. That’s why we can say with confidence his yoke is easy and his burden is light.

Maybe you’re still stuck on the first part, labouring over things weighing you down increasingly with every passing day.

Maybe you’ve been on the fence about the work of following Jesus.

Maybe you’ve got the appearance of getting by, but you’re barely keeping it together inside.

Serving is almost pointless without dealing with these things. I said this earlier: We cannot serve God’s people or bear witness to the transforming power of the Gospel if our entire being isn’t fully convinced by knowledge, experience and, above all, by faith – daily.

Be encouraged. Jesus is waiting, calling you to take on his yoke, learn his way and find rest for your soul. There’s work involved in resting, but there’s also a reward – Jesus’ presence and peace.