“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]

What do you think Jesus wants you to do?

I’m not thinking of specific choices like whether to have pizza or turkey for lunch (I don’t think He cares). But in terms of overall life choices and directions, what do you think He wants? There are probably a lot of answers to that question, but I’m thinking of one right now that I’ll bet nobody else mentioned.

I think He wants me to quit. (It’s okay if you’re surprised.)

The scripture above is one of the most well-known passages in the bible. It’s a source of comfort to folks who are buried under the weight of illness, despair, and impossible expectations. But it’s even more comforting when we understand the historical context.

A Rabbi’s “yoke” was his teaching, interpretation, and application of the Torah. A student or disciple who followed the Rabbi took on his yoke, meaning the sum of requirements for fulfilling the Law as taught by that particular Rabbi. The symbolism is clear; a teacher’s yoke represented the obligations and sacrifices—the “burdens”–required of his followers.

Jesus makes a related reference when He says of the teachers of the law and the Pharisees, “They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.” [Matthew 23:4]

When Jesus claims that His yoke is easy and His burden is light, He’s setting us free from the legalism, the man-made rules, and the cultural expectations that “experts” are so quick to impose. He’s telling us that following Him doesn’t involve a complicated theological code and a long list of difficult requirements.

His “yoke” is much simpler and easier. He wants us to stop all of that nonsense and focus on Him and the things He values.

Jesus wants me to quit so much of the harmful, irrelevant striving that imprisons me behind self-constructed walls of failure. He asks me to stop:

• struggling to earn the forgiveness He offers by grace.
• stumbling under the weight of regret and shame.
• trying to conform to cultural expectations about behavior and relationships.
• worrying about money, appearance, and status.
• dragging around a misguided sense of guilt over sins for which He already atoned.

Every one of us carries the scars of an imperfect past. Perhaps it’s an addiction, or unwise choices, or abuse inflicted by someone else. Perhaps it’s your own fault or maybe it’s not. Our enemy tells us that we have to cling to the pain, seek revenge, or live in fear and guilt.

And Jesus says, “Quit.”

If you’re suffering under these kinds of burdens, listen again to Jesus’ simple invitation. Imagine Him standing before you with hands extended in love. Hear His words spoken softly in a voice of perfect compassion, “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.”

He’s the God of a new beginning. You’re free to stop pretending and hiding in your self-imposed jail, because God knows about every moment of your past. He loves you so much that He sent Jesus to shatter the prison walls. You’re free to rest.

When Jesus was asked to state the most important commandment, the first word He uttered was, “Love.”

That’s His yoke. That’s what He wants you to learn as you walk in His footsteps.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. [Galatians 5:1]

What’s Jesus asking you to quit right now?

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Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever. Lance Armstrong

Edward Kennedy’s passing last week prompted some surprising reflections for me.

Like most of my generation, I grew up with the Kennedy mystique. I stared in childish wonder at the grainy black-and-white images of John’s funeral, and glared with teenage anger and disillusionment at Bobby’s. Interesting that I feel like I’m on a first-name basis with these historic siblings, but Jack and Bobby were integral figures in shaping my perspective.

Ted was a different story, the rebellious youngest brother who seemed to squander privilege and position in a litany of bad choices and selfish, destructive, childish antics. I never felt the urge to refer to him as though we were close friends, and I certainly didn’t admire him as I did his older brothers. I recall with shame that I wondered why he had to be the one that survived.

I wouldn’t choose Ted Kennedy as a role model. I’ve learned enough about the world to know that I probably wouldn’t select any politician for that position. The revelations of time have even stained my childhood memories of Bobby and John and Jackie and Camelot, and I’ve discovered the painful reality that public figures usually aren’t what they appear to be. Politicians, athletes, and entertainers are people with faults, ambitions, and blind spots, just like the rest of us.

But despite his many faults, I do appreciate one thing about Ted Kennedy: he didn’t quit. He endured the trauma of watching two brothers murdered on television and survived other private and public tragedies of his own design, and he didn’t quit. He could have faded into obscurity and lived in quiet luxury and leisure. He could have surrendered to regret and despair over wasted opportunity.

He didn’t quit.

I didn’t agree with many of Senator Kennedy’s political positions, and I didn’t approve of some of his personal choices. But I must honestly acknowledge that if the private details of my own life were exposed and dissected, the results wouldn’t present a picture worthy of emulation. I’m grateful for second and third chances, for undeserved forgiveness that’s allowed me to overcome errors and bad decisions. Grace offered me a number of new beginnings I didn’t earn; I’m called to extend that same grace to others.

Senator Kennedy bounced back from adversity and did his best to move forward to a better future. He wasn’t the hero his political admirers imagine nor the villain his detractors portray. He was a man who endured and didn’t quit.

Rather than glorifying his accomplishments or demonizing his failures, I choose to seek something positive and real from which I can learn. I find encouragement in the fact that he fought through difficult experiences, overcame mistakes, and still found a way to serve and contribute.

You don’t have to like Senator Kennedy or his politics. But perhaps you can admire the fact that he didn’t quit.

Most people give up just when they’re about to achieve success. They quit on the one yard line. They give up at the last minute of the game, one foot from a winning touchdown. Ross Perot

What’s your take on public personalities and their failings?

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Happy Saturday! If you’re new to THE CRAZY QUEST, you may wish to read about it here. Basically, I’m tracing my journey as I attempt to answer the question:

What would you do if you didn’t know you couldn’t do it?

This week of training: 107 miles (and some vacation/R&R)

DON’T STOP

Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever. Lance Armstrong

I’m not all that persistent when I’m cycling.

As long as the momentum is there and I’m cranking along, it’s easy to keep going. But as soon as I start to struggle, I immediately want to stop and rest. I’ve cycled more than twelve thousand miles, and I still want to stop when it gets difficult.

I battle this tendency even on easy terrain. I lose focus and slow down, and then it’s just too easy to coast to a stop instead of working to regain my tempo and speed.

I think this happens to me in many areas of life. When things are going well, it’s easy to keep a positive attitude and continue moving forward. But one small obstacle can destroy the momentum and leave me sitting motionless.

Things I still need to learn, in cycling and in life:

• Less energy is needed to keep moving than to start from a complete stop.
• Moving a little slower is better than stopping.
• When it’s hard to keep cranking, that’s when you get stronger.
• It helps to build up momentum before you reach a hill.
• Once you quit, it’s easier to quit the next time.
• Once you keep going through a tough spot, it’s easier to keep going through the next tough spot.
• Focus on the next few feet, over and over, and pretty soon you realize that you’ve covered a lot of ground.

I may not be the best. I may not ride fast or win or reach all of my goals.

I still don’t want to quit.

When are you most tempted to quit?

If you’re going through Hell, keep going. Winston Churchill

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