Why yes, by golly, I think we have. “We” being Christians, and “have” referring to turning conversion into the cure-all. I think a lot of evangelical Christians and churches promote an idea of conversion that is rosy and bright. Become a Christian—your problems will be solved. Become a Christian—your marriage will get better. Find God—your money troubles will lessen.
Maybe. But maybe not. One need only walk into a church and see all the pain and heartache and trouble and poor decisions lurking just beneath the surface—or the pew—and realize that conversion is so not a cure-all. Christianity was never supposed to be though.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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.
He said He’d give us rest, not that He’d take the problems away! I was thinking about this as I read a blog update this morning from some dear friends who are struggling, struggling, struggling through an exhausting, never-ending, tough time. And I caught myself thinking, God, why don’t you hurry up and do something?! Funny...He is! I think He has been. No, He hasn’t made their troubles disappear, but He’s given them the strength to get up every morning and face the day—with smiles and hope to boot!
Christianity doesn’t mean VIP-no-problemo life. It means real life, but with real REST.
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