Moments Together for Couples 1/17

by Dennis and Barbara Rainey

Matthew 11:28
Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

If there's one word I would use to describe life in the these last years of the twentieth century, it is pressure. Everyone has demands on us and on our time.

My dentist tells me I need to floss every day and avoid using a toothpick. My doctor wants to know how much I weigh, what I'm eating and am I getting enough exercise. My CPA wants to know why I'm not keeping better records and if I'm staying within my budget.

My colleagues want me to solve problems, answer letters, return phone calls, make decisions. I have trips to plan and talks to prepare and articles to write. I am expected to meet deadlines, do it right the first time and, of course, do it with excellence-quicker, better, cheaper, faster and always with the right Christian attitude.

My wife, Barbara, wants me to spend time with her. She says things like, "I've missed being able to share things with you recently." She also wants me to help redecorate the house, keep things repaired and work in the yard.

I'm expected to spend time playing with the kids, impart values to them, know their friends and what their parents stand for, be involved at their schools and prepare them for adolescence.

My church wants me to be available-always willing to serve, spend time on committees, teach Sunday School. On top of that, I receive pleas for more community involvement-to help the poor, attend PTA meetings, join civic clubs. And I need to be an informed voter on all the candidates and issues.

And then there's God, who counters all these pressures with His own-calling me to love Him, obey Him, walk with Him, spend time with Him.

Oh, wait-God is the one Whose yoke is easy and Whose burden is light. If my busyness can be given to Him, I can find rest for my soul.

Prayer:

Ask God to teach you how to wear His yoke and find rest.

Discuss: Are you satisfied with the way you're using your time? What priorities are you neglecting? Decide upon two action points you can implement in the next week to begin reducing the pressure you feel, and put your burden upon the Lord.

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