Last Sunday the class read and “conversed” about three of the Bible verses in Question 7 for Chapter 1 in Max Lucado’s book “Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World.” Max prompts us to note the promises in these verses:
- Proverbs 3:5-6. ”Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.”
- Matthew 11:28-30. “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
- John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you;not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Some discussion centered on how the “yoke” (of oxen, for example) would perhaps have had more meaning to the people of 2000 years ago at the time the Gospels were written. One class member interpreted the Matthew passage as meaning our part of the burden will be lighter when we are yoked with God who will take part of our load. Another commented that we might be less burdened if we are yoked to Christ rather than to a worldly load. Yet another speculated that this passage might have changed meaning through mistranslations over 2000 years.
There was more lively discussion that this letter is too short to elaborate on. Hope as many of you who are able can join us in class this Sunday, 2/24/19 (normal time and place, between services starting at 9:45 in St. Mark’s Room, second floor in the Leadership Center), as we encounter more of Max Lucado’s questions relating to relief of anxiety.
In Christ,
Peggy and Paul Foerster
