The labors of this life can be prove to be most difficult. No matter how much we toil about it may seem as if there is no fruit and hope in sight. As Simon had exclaimed to the Lord, “Master, we have labored all the night, and have taken nothing.”
So too we might feel as if we have labored all the night and have taken nothing. This can be brought about due to health, the tiredness that comes with the day, the stresses that beat down upon us, and all the temptations of the flesh that continue to give rise.
These are truly sufferings which are real. Saint Paul understood this same sentiment by stating, “The sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to come.” Here we are directed to look outward towards that life which is to come in order that we may find joy.
With such faith and hope Simon stated to the Lord, “But at Thy word I will let down the net.” It would of been easy to remain in the effects of the past and how it seemed to be going into the future, but instead they looked to the Lord in hope and came to place their faith in Him.
We must also place our faith in the Lord in such a manner. No matter what we have endured in the past, are enduring in this present moment, or will endure in the future there is no burden which is too great if we are willing to place our trust in the Lord and His healing words.
With this the Lord states to us, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” This is not an empty promise, but involves all of us no matter if we are burdened physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually.
These words don’t promise healing of body and mind in an instant if at all. These words do imply an inner peace and tranquility in the midst of every cross that we have been called to bear in this life. There is truly nothing that is too great for us to endure if we place our trust in the Lord.
As Christians we are called upon to look outward towards that life which is to come in the Kingdom of Heaven. Through the balance that exists between the cross and resurrection we are able to see the hope that springs forth from every plight.
Let us place our trust in Him and thus in Him come to find our rest in the midst of all that goes around us in this life. The Lord is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and so let follow wherever His voices calls us to go.
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