Running Weary

This week has me thinking about how often life asks something from us when we are already tired.

This weekend, I will be running three different trail legs as part of a long relay race (Ragnar). In all, I will cover about 15 miles. I know I can do the mileage. It will just be slower than I would like. The harder part will be doing it tired. Running when my legs are heavy is one thing. Running when my body is tired and my mind is tired too, that is a different challenge.

And honestly, that feels like a pretty good picture of life.

Most of us know what it is like to face something hard when we are not at our best. A busy week. A hard conversation. A caregiving season. Grief that still lingers. A decision we do not feel ready to make. Life keeps asking things from us, even when we are weary.

That is why I keep coming back to Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:28:

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

Jesus does not say, “Come to me when you have it all together.”

He does not say, “Come to me when you feel strong.”

He says, “Come to me when you are weary.”

That is good news.

Running our course of faith does not mean we never get tired. It means we know where to go with our tiredness. We bring it to Jesus. We bring the burden, the stress, the fear, the fatigue, and trust that Christ meets us there with rest for our souls.

Sometimes rest changes our circumstances. Sometimes it simply gives us enough grace for the next step. The next conversation. The next task. The next mile.

So, if this week feels heavy for you, take a breath. You do not have to carry it alone. Come to Jesus, weary. That is exactly how he said to come.

And trust that his grace will be enough for what is ahead.

With Gratitude,

Rev. Rodney Whitfield
Senior Pastor
Aldersgate UMC