Jesus says, “Come to me all who are
weary and heavy burdened, and I will give
you rest.” (Matthew 11: 28) If we are
being honest, so many of us are weary or
heavy burdened over something. Some of
us are weary about a relationship that isn’t
going well. Others are burdened with guilt
of recent mistakes. Financial stress,
physical stress, health problems……..there
are just so many reasons why we might
feel completely overwhelmed. Of course
when we come into Plum Creek
Presbyterian Church on Sundays and the greeter asks, “How are you doing?” We politely
respond, “I’m doing great!” We hide deep down in our hearts, the burdens that are actually near
the surface. As I prepare to join you in just a few short weeks (August 1), I must tell you that I
am a feeling little overwhelmed. On one hand, I am very excited to have the incredible privilege,
which I do not deserve, to be your pastor! I’m looking forward to getting to know each of you as
we become a new family. I’m eager to meet the staff at Plum Creek in person instead of simply
hearing so many great things about Kathy and the others! I can’t wait to hear our awesome
musical director lead our able singers in worship then have the opportunity to preach the Word to
a “new crowd”! Our family is anticipating moving into the manse and setting up our new home!
Just the same, I’m wondering to myself, “Can I live up to the hype?” “Will my initial sermons
disappoint?” “Do I have anything wise to share with the elders?” “Do I have the energy to really
set things off?” We all have questions like these about some facet of our lives. Today you may be
feeling tired, weary, fearsome, anxious, overwhelmed about something in your life. How
wonderful it is as Christians to be able to turn all that weighs us down over to the Lord! Jesus says
“Come to me.” “Give your burdens to me.” “I am able to carry them.” “I am able to remove
them.” “I will give you rest.” The picture you see at the top of this article is from the fishing pier
in Melbourne, Florida where we are vacationing before joining you. I’m sitting at a picnic table on
the pier while my son Andrew is baiting hooks with shrimp trying to catch pin-fish! It’s 8:30 am.
The skies above are blue. The sun is rising. A gentle breeze is blowing. I’m about 1,000 miles
removed from the week of storms that have fallen on Pittsburgh! Isn’t that what Jesus does when
we rest in Him? Somehow by his power our storms, our anxieties can seem an infinite distance
away! The greatest thing about the Gospel is not that He takes all the storms away, but that He
gives us an inner peace to face our fears, and a real and ready strength to over come them! Let us
be a people who wilt not in the midst of any anxieties that we may confront. With Jesus by our
side may we be victorious in all we say and do! See you soon! Love and Blessings, Pastor Allan!