Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, 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

I love sleeping.
Honestly, bedtime might be my favorite time of day.
And I’m good at it.
If sleeping were a spiritual gift, I’d have it made.
But this isn’t the case for everyone.
And if you aren’t a good sleeper you are right now you are likely rolling your eyes because DUH.
For some of you, waking up in the middle of the night is a regular thing.
A good night of sleep is the exception, not the rule.
I listened to this podcast episode this week, filled with stories of what people worry about and think about in the middle of the night.
And I have to admit, I was so surprised how many people are up in the middle of the night.
Worried.
Anxious.
And exhausted.
My husband is one of them.
And I confess to not getting it.
To not understanding the things that keep him up,
To not understanding the things that keep you up.
So first, I want to say to all of you sleepless warriors out there, I’m sorry.
I’m sorry I didn’t get it.
I’m sorry.

Even today, a full three days after listening to the episode, I keep thinking of it.
I keep thinking of all of you.
Awake, wanting to sleep, but being unable to find that bliss of rest.
So if you’re up in the middle of the night, worrying about that thing you said three years ago, stressing about the big event you have coming up,
Replaying a moment you regret with all your heart,
Or even if every song lyric you’ve ever known decided to make its presence known –
This one is for you.

I know that when you’re up in the middle of the night, a Bible verse is probably not going to help in the moment.
Insomnia and anxiety are real issues that can’t just be prayed away.
But rest – real, good, rest – it’s possible.
The things we carry are just so heavy.
We carry regrets and worry and our brains and hearts don’t ever seem to rest.

I remember the first time I really studied this verse, I thought it was so weird that Jesus was talking about a yoke.
My references to that word primarily came from the game Oregon Trail, so I didn’t really get why Jesus said that he’d trade places with me because his yoke was lighter.

I couldn’t get the picture of oxen pulling trailers out of my head.
And even though a lighter one seemed nice, it also didn’t seem like it was good.
Like it helped all that much.
But then I learned that yoke here means teaching.
Jesus is saying, hey guys, all those rules you are following,
All those “shoulds” you are carrying,
They are all so heavy,
And not necessary.
Jesus is offering a trade.
His teaching, his rules, for all the stuff you’re carrying.
And his teaching, his rules –
They are love.
They are grace.
And grace doesn’t weigh anything.
It’s free.
So that we can stop being so burdened.
So tired.
So darn tired.
Instead of oxen in a video game,
I now picture Jesus – arms open, asking “can I carry anything for you?”
So hand it over.
Today. Tonight.
Start laying some of your stuff in Jesus’ arms.  
He can handle it.
So you don’t have to.