A little over five years ago I was dispatched to a residence for a complaint involving an occupancy violation. When I arrived at the residence I was met at the door by a middle-aged gentleman whom I had become quite acquainted with because he would normally come in and solicit the gas station where a lot of police officers would get their morning coffee. This gentleman was always friendly and he always seemed to have time for a short conservation.
However, on this particular day I ended up conducting a records check on this gentleman. He did not have identification, and the information that he gave me did not match anyone in the data base. He knew that I could tell something was wrong. Finally, after a few attempts to get information on him failed, he gave me his correct name and date of birth.
I was really surprised to find out that he was an escaped convict who had been in prison for murder. When I told this gentleman that I was placing him under arrest, I saw a great expression of relief on his face. He told me that he had been looking over his shoulder for more than five years and he knew that one day he would be captured.
He also told me that he was just completely emotionally tired. This man was carrying a very great load. It was mentally agonizing for him to spend his days ducking and dodging and trying to remember all the lies he had told to conceal his identity.
We all experience difficult times physically and mentally. In fact, there are times when the load that we are carrying is so enormous that we feel as if peace and tranquility is forever a thing of the past.
Regardless of the load that we bear, God has provided the remedy in the person of His only begotten Son, Jesus. We are told in the Bible that the load (yoke-bondage) of Jesus is not heavy and overbearing. Not only is the yoke of Jesus light, but when we carry our burdens to Him, He is divinely capable of providing peace, quietness and joy to a restless soul.
“Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11: 28-30)
James is an ordained minister and commissioned police officer
