Week of Worship: Come As You Are

Life is good, right? That's what everything tries to tell us.

But sometimes it's not. Sometimes we get weary carrying heavy burdens of shame. Sometimes we wear ourselves out trying to be perfect or trying to compromise. Sometimes we try to reach God by our own means and sometimes we feel too ashamed of our failings to even cry out to Him.

In the Old Testament, God gave His people a lot of rules to follow. If you have ever read through Exodus or Leviticus, you have an idea of how many rules. The Law was everything for the Israelites. And it was a heavy burden, made heavier by the rules the Pharisees imposed on themselves.

But Jesus came and changed everything.

"Come to me, all 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.” (Matthew 11: 28-30)

Crowder's song Come As You Are is God's dialogue to us, assuring us that, no matter our burdens or shame, we can come to Jesus, who will give us rest. However, although we are to come as we are, we are not to stay. Faith without works is dead (James 2:17). If an encounter with Jesus does not change you, then you may want to search your heart for why. But know that, if you will simply come, God will take your burdens and shame and give you peace and rest. Nothing on earth can be so hurtful that Heaven can't heal.

Listen to this amazing song and then let me know what your favorite worship songs are in the comments.

**Bonus!!!!**
As I was writing this post, I remembered another song of a very different style but with the same message: that no matter what we try, if we search for rest in this world, we will find only burdens; but if we seek relief at the throne of God, our heavy burdens and heavy hearts will find rest.

Check it out! It's a little different, but it's pretty catchy. Extra credit if you can rock the rap!