Pastor Izzy from Courageous Church recently chatted to Leah and Dan about the simple invitation that changed everything for him. Read what he had to say below.
There’s a passage in Matthew 11 that has stuck with me for years. You’ve probably heard it before. Jesus says: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” It’s one of those verses that seems simple on the surface, but the more life I live, the more powerful and real it becomes.
If you’ve ever found yourself flat-out exhausted physically, emotionally, or spiritually you’ll know how much those words resonate. I’ve had those moments. Days when the weight of everything feels like too much. And yet, Jesus doesn’t offer more steps to hustle through. He simply invites us: Come to Me.
But He doesn’t stop there. He goes on: “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.” Now, at first glance, “yoke” might sound a little odd. Like, eggs? But no, He’s talking about something much deeper.
Back in the day, farmers would use a wooden yoke to connect two oxen; one strong, experienced ox and one young, inexperienced one. The stronger ox would shoulder most of the load, guiding and supporting the younger one as they worked together. It kept the inexperienced ox steady, stopped it from straying, and helped it learn how to navigate the field.
That image floored me when I first understood it. Because isn’t life like that? There are seasons when the ground feels so hard, the weight so heavy, and you’re wondering how much longer you can keep going. And Jesus is saying, You don’t have to do it alone. Yoke yourself to Me. I’ll carry the weight. I’ll keep you steady.
I’ve seen this play out in my own life. There’ve been times when, honestly, everything felt like it was falling apart. Stress, uncertainty, heartbreak you name it. And yet, somehow, there’s been peace. Not because my circumstances magically changed, but because I wasn’t carrying it all by myself. There’s a supernatural rest that comes when you’re connected to Him.
Maybe you’re reading this and unsure about faith or what it means to “come to Jesus.” I get it. I’ve been there. It can feel like a big step, especially if you don’t know all the answers. But here’s what I’ve learned; it really starts with humility. Just opening your heart enough to say, Jesus, if You’re offering help, I’ll take it. It’s that simple.
And the beautiful thing is, you don’t have to figure it all out alone. Surround yourself with a life-giving community, people who can walk alongside you, help you discover how to read the Bible, how to pray, how to lean into God’s presence.
But it starts with a quiet, humble moment: Jesus, I’m weary. I need rest. I need You. That’s all it takes. And trust me, He’ll meet you there.
Listen to Pastor Izzy’s full message below.