A few years ago a motorcycle police officer noticed a vehicle that appeared to be dragging something behind it. As he drew closer and then began to pass the car, he saw that the something was a basset hound at the end of a leash that was caught in the car door. He said of the dog, “He was picking them up and putting them down as fast as he could.” Evidently as fast as he could was not enough, for the dog (named Tattoo) rolled over several times as the car he reached the speed of 25 mph. [The dog was fine, but reportedly asked not to go out for an evening walk for a long time afterward.]
Some of us feel like that poor basset hound — life is moving along faster than our ability to keep up a manageable pace. We need the words of Christ in Matthew 11: “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (vv. 28-30).
Here are (at least) three significant principles for weary-hearted people. First, weariness is beneficial. When we are weary, it is demonstrated that there is a God, and we are not Him. Every limit we face is a reminder of our dependence on Another. Even nightly as we lay our heads on our pillows, we have a reminder of our need for rest and are aware that there is One who does not have that need (Ps. 121:4). If you are weary, it might be worth asking if you have assumed tasks and responsibilities that belong to God alone.
Secondly, when wearied by life, God is available. He invites us to turn to Him. He promises that He will care for us and sustain us. He is not blind to our needs and He is, in fact, the source of strength we need. This echoes verses in the Psalms like:
- Rest in the LORD and await patiently for Him (37:7)
- My soul, await in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him (62:5)
- On God my salvation and my glory rest; The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God (62:7)
And finally, when we lean on Christ, we are not freed from all the shackles and burdens of life. There are still obligations — there is a yoke to wear and there is labor to be done. But these works are “easy” and “light” (was Paul thinking of this passage when he penned 2 Cor. 5:16-18?). From this we can infer that some of our weariness may be the result of laboring in the wrong fields — we consume ourselves with tasks that are either non-essential or unimportant. Then, when we repent of that misuse of our time and energy, we will find an increasing ease and joy in life as we labor in the profitable fields of Christ.
Are you weary and over-burdened? Christ knows. Christ is available to comfort and provide rest. And Christ offers work that will give hope and ease to your life.
Words of Grace 
Another advantage of being over scheduled or going through “basset hound” syndrome is the reliance and the resurrection power of Christ. What God has called you to do he will enable you to do. Those things not really necessary will by necessity be relegated to back burner status.
Another great advantage of “basset hound” syndrome is that the stress will boil up the remaining two year old still existent in your heart. It ain’t pretty but it does have to be dealt with and in order to be dealt with it has to be seen.
Good posts today glad I took a few moments away from the books.
P.S. Paul said bring the BOOKS he did not say bring the kindle. What is good enough for Paul is good enough for me!! {:^)