Isn't You Tired?

I sat down recently to watch the cinematic version Kathryn Stockett's novel "The Help".  Set in Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960's, the film provides an account of the ignorant and hateful treatment of black maids working for white "homemakers" (term applied loosely).  I found myself wishing that the portrayal was a fictional work, all the while knowing that these scars on the face of humanity were in fact historical.


My blog isn't a movie review website, but one of the scenes slapped me across the face with blunt truth so significantly that I can still feel the numbness.  Towards the end of the film (semi-spoiler alert here), the main character, Aibileen Clark, one of the maids, is dismissed from her employment at the direction of the movie's caitiff, Hilly Holbrook. It is a moment when you find yourself longing for some type of judgment to be poured out against Hilly.  A punch in the gut, a slap across the face, even hurtful words, something, anything that will hold Hilly accountable for the racially motivated hurt she had inflicted on so many.  It is at that moment when Aibileen walks up to Hilly, looking into her soul while holding back the combination of tears and rage, simply says "Isn't you tired?  Isn't you tired, Ms. Hilly?" before she leaves the house with flashes of pity for Hilly coming from her face.  


Those words struck Hilly deeper than any physical blow could have.  It was truth.  The hatred, the sin, the constant concern with society's thoughts, the insecurities consumed every hour of every day of Ms. Hilly's life.  Aibileen could see all of those elements bearing down on Hilly's soul.  I don't know that Matthew 11:28-30 ever felt more real to me than when I watched that scene: "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.”


I know this blog doesn't have quite the impact if you haven't seen the movie.  But even if you haven't seen it, you know that allowing insecurity, anxiety, addiction, hatred, loneliness or lies to occupy our minds is exhausting.  I have been there.  I know.  The burden can seem unbearable.  It is unbearable because we are trying, in vain, to accomplish something that we simply were not created to do-carry the burden of our sins.

FINAL THOUGHT.   When our sins exhaust us, when we can't seem to get everything done, when we are worried about (insert anything) we have to remind ourselves that there is rest.  When we take the yoke of Christ that is offered freely, when we study His ways, we will be filled with the gentleness of His love and the peace and relief as He carries our burdens for us.  When we live that out, we simply aren't spiritually tired anymore.