Recovery Christian Center Daily Meditation - 3/28/12 - Help For Those Who Struggle

"Then Jesus said, 'Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." Matthew 11:28-20 NLT

This scripture can be very attractive and comforting to those who are struggling and in bondage to addiction or other self destructive behaviors. Christ is offering a way out of the intense loneliness, hopelessness, and suffering we endured for so long. Of course there is a price for this freedom. The price is believing in Him and living a life that demonstrates that belief. That is the yoke Christ is talking about.

Part of the yoke means that we who are free offer the same love, compassion, acceptance, kindness, tolerance and gentleness to those who are struggling that Christ showed us. We can't afford to be judgmental or intolerant of those who aren't where we are because Christ didn't act that way with us.

Christ is offering help to those who struggle, and many times the vessels He uses are those of us He has already helped. We should be ready, willing and able out of the simple gratitude for having found the help. Pour into someone else like Christ has poured into you. It's been said that we keep what we have by giving it away. That's just as true for our walk with Christ as it is for recovery. We need to give away what He has given us because we are grateful and because it will make room for us to receive more of Him.