Tower and Town, July 2022 (view the full edition)Clergy Letter"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. " (Matthew 11:28) July is the month when people are often hanging on for a holiday. Fortunately, schools break up, we take time off from work or courses, and we go on holiday or just relax at home. Ideally, the weather is sunny, and we spend more time with children and grandchildren. Being busy can be exciting and stimulating, but it can mean little time to listen to God, to others, or to ourselves. There may be times when we need more than a sunny day to feel replenished; times when we're in need of a different and deeper kind of rest. "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest". Shortly before Jesus spoke these words, he was venting his frustration about the crowd's lack of understanding. So, what did he do to calm and replenish himself? He prayed. It's an important reminder that prayer is the answer when things are a struggle, even for Jesus. Prayer is a way of recharging our batteries and lifting our spirits. It's an opportunity to reflect on what we're doing and why. It offers us time to think and to listen and to see our lives reflected in the eyes of God. Jesus followed this with "take my yoke upon you and learn from me...; my yoke is easy, and my burden is light". A yoke was the wooden collar that ran across the shoulders of a pair of oxen and enabled them to pull enormous weights between them. Initially, it may seem odd that Jesus is offering us rest and yet suggesting we take another yoke - but the yoke offers us an image for our relationship with Jesus. It presents a picture where we are united with him, receiving his power, strength and wisdom, while he carries the main weight of our burden. When we are vulnerable, God will hold us and help to carry our load. It is a yoke of love and commitment, rather than a yoke of duty. His yoke holds forgiveness, mercy, compassion, justice - and above all, love. So, maybe we need to ask ourselves 'how am I, really?' And 'do I truly share my worries with God?' For many of us, we're so used to managing difficulties alone that we don't bring them to God in prayer. Through our prayerful relationship with God, we can be replenished and find rest and peace. With God alongside you, I wish you a wonderful summer. Sarah Musgrave |