Art thou weary, heavy-laden?
Art thou sore distressed?
“Come to Me,” saith One, “and coming,
Be at rest.”
Hath He marks to lead me to Him,
If He be my Guide?
“In His feet and hands are wound-prints,
And His side.”
Hath He diadem as Monarch,
That His brow adorns?
“Yea, a crown in very surety,
But of thorns!”
If I find Him, if I follow,
What His promise here?
“Many a sorrow, many a labor,
Many a tear.”
If I still hold closely to Him,
What has He at last?
“Sorrow vanquished, labor ended,
Jordan passed.”
If I ask Him to receive me,
Will He say me nay?
“Not till earth and not till heaven
Pass away.”
Finding, following, keeping, struggling,
Is He sure to bless?
“Prophets, saints, apostles, martyrs,
Answer, Yes.”
St. Stephen of Mar Sabas, 8th century, translated by John M. Neale, 1862
Read James 1:2-6
“Art Thou Weary?” presents a view of the Christian life that doesn’t pull any punches. It is often a hard life, but the resounding reassurance is that it is worth it. Paul concurs in Romans chapter 8.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18.
The challenge for us then, is to maintain that eternal focus so that we don’t grow weary. Again Paul says:
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Galatians 6:9