By Dr. Dianne Coflin, Co-Pastor, River of Life Church
I was talking with someone recently who shared with me the many problems they were facing. They were overwhelmed with feelings of despair. The many negative situations in their life burdened their heart and consumed their thoughts. As I spoke with them, I was reminded of the question Jesus asked the multitudes: “Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Come to Me, I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways, and you’ll discover that I am gentle, humble, and easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me, for all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear.” (Matthew 11:28-29 TPT). I find in these verses of scripture the solution for those whose hearts are burdened down and troubled.
How often do people go to their friends, family members, or even the internet looking for solutions to their problems and yet Jesus simply said, “Come to me.” Why is it that we always want to take control of our “out of control” lives by trying to “figure out” solutions to our problems instead of doing the one thing Jesus asked?
Jesus also reminded us that he is the one who will refresh us. In fact, he describes himself as an “oasis”. An oasis is a place of peace, safety, or happiness in the midst of trouble and difficulty. An oasis is often thought of as a well-watered fertile place in a desert land where you can find nourishment and rest. Those whose hearts are burdened down may feel like they are in a desert place, isolated, and hopeless but Jesus said he will provide for them that place of refreshing. He said, “Simply join your life with mine and learn my ways.” Why is that important? Because we may have to unlearn some habits and make some changes to how we are doing things. We have, most likely, grown familiar with feeling pressured, worrying, and allowing our thoughts to run wild bringing on us even more stress as we look for solutions to our problems.
What is it that Jesus wants us to learn? He tells us that his ways are gentle, and humble, and easy to please. He wants us to learn about his character. He is not a demanding God that requires us to follow some rigid formula to be freed from our burdens. Jesus wants us to discover how gentle and loving he is, and He is the one who can relieve us of our burdens as we learn to trust him. When we learn about Jesus, we develop a confidence in our relationship with him so however heavy the burden or deep the need we know he will relieve us when we come to him. He will exchange our burden for a place of refreshing and peace.
Maybe you need to begin that journey by coming to him today. Allow Jesus to relieve you of your care-filled thoughts and you will begin to experience a peace that will surpass your understanding. Why? Because his promises are real and as trustworthy as he is. I encourage you today not to give up and don’t wait any longer for he is waiting on you to surrender your life to him knowing that he will be your oasis even in a desert place. Food for thought!
Pastor Dianne Coflin – Co-Pastor River of Life Church. We invite you to join us at 410 E Chapman Road Lutz, Florida 33549. Our services are 10:30am Sunday morning and 7:00pm Wednesday nights with childcare provided. Looking forward to meeting you.