From Isaiah 43 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?

It is difficult for me to visit my oldest brother. He talks endlessly about the glory days. Back in the day, regaling tales about himself and people I do not know or do not remember. Then he laughs as he accuses other family members who are known for embellishing a story.

My sister did me the greatest favor a few years ago as I talked to her about troubling memories from my past. She told me that it wasn’t that way at all. My perceptions of the past weren’t even accurate. That freed me greatly. I let go of the past since I cannot even trust my own feelings about what happened.

I see a little of that in these quoted passages from Isaiah. The past is gone, nothing can be done to change it in the telling. This new thing however is in the here and now. It is active and alive in this moment and that is something that makes a difference.

What is God doing in your life right now? It doesn’t matter what you were, what you did or what others might have said or done. Tomorrow is shaped by today not yesterday. God is working in your life now, don’t you know it? He is asking you, “Can you feel Me?” Perhaps your past is holding you back. Perhaps your fear of tomorrow is stopping you from moving today. Or perhaps you do not know God as He would have you know Him.

Exodus 32:29 Consecrate yourselves today to the Lord, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day.

Today, this day.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

We do not all agree on the meanings of things. Our training, or experiences, even our desires color the meaning of certain words and phrases.

Labor, some hate it, some love it. Some feel that it wears them down while others feel like it gives them value or self-worth.

What does heavy laden mean to you? Is that physical, emotional or social? Can you believe that it might mean something different to other people?

These common words which mean different things to different people are tied to a promise. Does that mean that there is more than one promise or one promise that meets all expectations? Reading different versions of the bible will give you cross references that address “Come unto me” and “I will give you rest” but do not address labor and burden.

Since your expectations of the promise are driven by your relevant experience with labor and burden, why aren’t there any cross references to help you define the scope of your expectations?

The answer lies in the source of the expectation. The human condition contains too many variables. If you look at it from God’s point of view then one answer can be found which meets all mankind and leads to one promise that fits all. Where can that be found? Turn to your guide, your counselor, the Holy Spirit.

Do a bible search for vexation of spirit and you will find a rather comprehensive list of labors and burdens in Ecclesiastes. Vexation of spirit means striving with the spirit or not cooperating with the spirit.

If you would like God’s promises to be part of your experience, then I suggest agreeing and cooperating with the Holy Spirit as He enacts God’s will in your life.