Who of us would say that we have no problems? Walking by someone on the street or at work might lead us to answer "fine" when someone asks how we are doing. But if someone knows us well enough, sends the message that they have time, or is someone we expect will make time for us, it does not take long for us to come up with quite a list.

Our Lord says, "My yoke is easy and my burden is light." "Cast all your cares on Me, for I care for you." There is one place we can go where it can all be said and there will be time for us. We are called to pray daily to Him and spread our lives before Him. Yes, we act by faith. But our Lord promises to always be there. He promises to help us sort out which problems are those we bring on ourselves as we try to play God and make it all work. He promises to help us to know which problems are caused when we try to act as if God is not there at all. He promises to help us know which problems are part of our everyday life as His children and to give us guidance in settling us and sending us forth to love others, even our enemies, as He has loved us.

He also summons us to confess our sins. Some sins are sins of omission (not doing something we are being led by Him to do) and sins of commission (doing those things that are against His holy will and leading). As we hear the Gospel, the Holy Spirit moves us to act in love toward others and to forsake wicked ways. We are not called to give explanations to God about why we think we are really somehow right. We are called to confess and lay our hearts open to Him. We can expect to be touched by His peace, even if the world around us is upset.

In this season of Lent and Easter, it is time to open ourselves up to our Lord. I would encourage you to read the Gospel of Matthew during this Lenten season. Walk with the disciples as the Lord trained them to confess their sins and their faith. Let your eyes be turned to the Lord, laying your burdens on His heart and hearing what He did to die and rise and deliver you from your sin, your eternal death, and the power of Satan. Ask Him for strength to stretch beyond yourself to open your circle of friends to include new people. Since the Lord carries your burdens, you are free to carry others for Him. You will be helping them with their problems by laying their lives before the Lord of Life.

In Christ our Lord and Savior,
Pastor Thomas Trapp