“I am tired.” I begin softly,” and I can’t do this anymore. Every morning I am overwhelmed with this trepidation.”
The stranger gazes intently into my eyes and whispers tenderly, “Go on. What is this you speak of? It must be something inconceivable for I knew you when you spoke naught of these quandaries.”
“In this life there are people that have such hatred and hurt in their hearts. They demonstrate such anger, and are terrified of failure so they deceive, steal, and destroy the innocent because they are truly evil. What point is there to life? Why should I wake up each day when all of this hatred is around me? There is nothing that brings tranquility to my heart anymore. The things that brought me delight once before now seem, well, insignificant and unfulfilling. There is something lacking and I just don’t know what. Well, what do you think?”
I begin to see the tears welling up in his eyes. His eyes, what is it about them? They seem to penetrate through the stone wall that I have built up within me and discern my true heart and soul as he sat listening intently. They seemed familiar to me, so loving and gentle. Where have I seen those eyes before? And him, this stranger, had we met before, long ago? Surely not, for I never forget a face. I feel so comforted just by his presence here with me. So I continue on.
“And my work, do you have any idea what I have had to go through to get to where I am today? I recall all of the backbiting, the long hours, the lousy pay and what about my advanced degrees? Why any company should consider themselves lucky to have me working for them. Do you know how much I am worth? With this job came the fast life; cars, houses, boats, jewelry for the wife, the best education for the kids. So, I neglected them and came home late, I missed little league games, but I did it all for them. Why can’t they appreciate all the hard work that I do for them. Don’t they realize what I go through for them so that they can have whatever they want?” I pause briefly and notice the stranger now is coming towards me. “And, and, the many sacrifices, I am just not appreciated,” I stammer, all the while choking back tears,” and yet, I still am not happy and I am so exhausted from trying. What am I missing?”
As he comes towards me, I begin to weep uncontrollably and fall into his loving, open arms. He whispers to me these words like no one ever has before,” There, there my child. I have experienced agony beyond anything you could ever fathom. I have endured such sacrifice and to some it completely is disregarded. I feel the hate in man’s heart; I see the vindictiveness exhibited from one brother to another and I bear a burden that no one else can envision. I witness the hurt, I recognize the pain in which you describe so vividly to me and I reach out to them and they still reject my love. You speak of weariness and the uncertainty of life’s purpose. I am here to tell you that if yearn for rest, simply come to me.”
“I do not understand that in which you speak of,” I interjected hastily,” how can you offer me things in which I don’t believe are possible? What power do you have that is so great that it can change my life? Furthermore, I have heard this before from the world. Trust in me and everything will be alright. Give me you money and you will be happier. I am here to say that I have tried everything possible and I still find nothing satisfies!” I declare sobbing profusely, “I am so tired. Why, why am I here? Why must I struggle and hurt and be so lonely that when I am with the ones that I love the most there is still an emptiness that fills my soul? What must I do to find peace in my life? Tell me stranger, you seem to have all of the answers.”
And that is when my life changed forever. He not only gave me the answer to my inquiry, but He gave me a hope and assurance that I had long forgotten about. "'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' 'I am the way and the truth and the life. '"
I looked around and he was gone. Was he really ever there or was he a figment of my imagination?But, I know he was here, I can still feel his eyes. I suddenly felt as if I was being held up, but I was not falling- or was I?
My life was changed that day. Even though I have not seen him since, I feel his presence daily. I have told many people, but they scoff at me.
I know in my heart the stranger so long ago was my Lord. I weep today thinking of what He did for me on the cross. I didn't deserve it, but His love encourages me daily.
