Matthew 11: I don't have the power

The first half of this chapter honors John the Baptist. After Jesus gives his army their orders, the imprisoned John starts getting word of Jesus' activities so John sends out a message, asking if these are true or if another messiah should be sought after. Then we are given Matthew 11:4-6, "Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen--the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor."

I had heard these words spoken by another prophet who used them to show how powerful a dozen steps are, and I smiled when I read them because I do believe that by finding some power by which I could live, I'm not nearly as sick today as I was a few years back. Is it because of these words? Maybe indirectly.

So Jesus honors John by telling the masses about him and his faith. This shows me that even Jesus knew there are many prophets, many messengers, and I, in my feeble history, am aware of such teachers in our present day. However, I believe that it is not my purpose to follow another person's path. In general, I follow, but specifically, nope.

I believe there are so many prophets so that I can look at each of their experiences and glean from them what will help me to progress along my own spiritual journey. For me, this bible read is not so that I can become a Christian, but so that I may further develop and understand the spiritual guidance offered that so many people throughout the ages, from all walks of faith, have utilized to strengthen their own walks.

And maybe its the power of suggestion, maybe it's just voodoo, but my walk is being strengthened. Every time I sit down and read, I'm reminded that I don't have the power. And I'm okay with that today. I am not powerful enough to handle all the things that make up an ordinary life. Take the last 11 months: 2 of my grandmothers died within 2 weeks of each other, we had to put down our 11-year-old hunting dog, my office was destroyed when a building collapsed on it, my dad was diagnosed with cancer, and just yesterday? I came home to find our farm dog, my big, giant meatball Zeke, dead. (He's pictured down in the 'Blessings All Around' entry.) His passion for chasing milk trucks and stock trailers apparently caught up with him.

And so I take great comfort in the final verses of this chapter because I lack the power, the ability to handle and deal and cope with all this in a way that both honors these experiences and allows me to be effective with those around me who are also hurting. Because guess what? It's not about ME!

"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."