What if we are found out? What if man catches a glimpse into the the real us that God already has full view of? An author revealed the following observation of a burdensome state of being many find themselves in while walking this earth:
Another source of burden is artificiality. I am sure that most people live in secret fear that some day they will be careless and by chance an enemy or friend will be allowed to peep into their poor empty souls. So they are never relaxed. Bright people are tense and alert in fear that they may be trapped into saying something common or stupid. …This unnatural condition is part of our sad heritage of sin, but in our day it is aggravated by our whole way of life. Advertising is largely based upon this habit of pretense…Books are sold, clothes and cosmetics are peddled, by playing continually upon this desire to appear what we are not. Artificiality is one curse that will drop away the moment we kneel at Jesus’ feet and surrender ourselves to His meekness. then we will not care what people think of us so long as God is pleased. Then what we are will be everything; what we appear will take is place far down the scale of interest for us. Apart form sin we have nothing of which to be ashamed. Only an evil desire to shine makes us want to appear other than we are. The heart of the world is breaking under this load of pride and pretense. There is no release form our burden apart form the meekness of Christ. …To men and women everywhere Jesus says, ‘Come unto me, and I will give you rest.’ The rest He offers is the rest of meekness, the blessed relief which comes when we accept ourselves for what we are and cease to pretend. It will take some courage at first, but the needed grace will come as we learn that we are sharing this new and easy yoke with the strong Son of God Himself.
A.W. Tozer shared this timeless insight with the world 68 years ago in his book, The Pursuit of God (1948). Even today we struggle with this encumbrance when Christ offers His easy yoke and light burden. As we give up ourselves and make God not first, but all, then we can enter into this blessed place of rest in Him. Here we will find His meekness replaces our exhausting pride. Once we courageously let others see the real us in our struggles and joys, the real clay God is working good in and forming into new pots, then those around us shall be encouraged – knowing there is hope in Christ. God makes all those vessels, who have surrendered to the Master’s touch, useful to Him. Here purpose and satisfaction can be found.
- “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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.” Matthew 11:28-30