Nira Yangu ni Fadhili na Nyepesi

“Njooni kwangu ninyi nyote msumbukao na wenye kulemewa na mizigo nami nitawapumzisha. Jitieni nira yangu, mjifunze kwangu, kwa kuwa mimi ni mpole na mnyenyekevu wa moyo, nanyi mtapata raha nafsini mwenu. Kwa maana nira yangu ni laini, na mzigo wangu ni mwepesi.” Mathayo 11:28-30.

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden in light.”  Matthew 11:28-30 NRSV.

Mwaliko wa kulazimisha ulioonyeshwa hapo juu, lazima usawazishwe na yale Yesu asemayo mahali pengine kuhusu matakwa yanayowekwa kwa mtu anayekuwa mfuasi Wake. Kwa mfano, Yeye pia alisema, “Yeyote anayekuja kwangu naye hamchukii baba na mama, mke na watoto, kaka na dada, naam, na hata uhai wenyewe, hawezi kuwa mfuasi wangu. Yeyote asiyeubeba msalaba na kunifuata hawezi kuwa mfuasi wangu. . Hivyo basi, hakuna hata mmoja wenu awezaye kuwa mfuasi wangu, msipoacha mali yenu yote” (Luka 14:25-33). 

The compelling invitation set forth above, must be balanced by what Jesus says elsewhere regarding the demands placed on one who becomes His disciple. For example, He also said, “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. . So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions” (Luke 14:25-33 NRSV).

 Je, kanuni ya uanafunzi wa Kikristo kuwa “rahisi” na “nuru” inawezaje kupatanishwa na hitaji zito la uanafunzi huo linalotolewa katika Luka? Jibu linageukia suala la kubeba mizigo na mitazamo yetu kuelekea vile. Kama wanadamu, kila mmoja wetu hubeba mizigo mizito kutokana na kutokamilika kwetu binafsi na ubora wa maisha tunayoishi. Sio sana hali tunayojikuta ndani yake, lakini jinsi tunavyotathmini hali hizo ambazo huamua uzito wa mizigo tunayobeba. Mizigo huongezeka au kupunguzwa na roho tuliyo nayo. Ikiwa tutaishi nje ya roho ya kinyongo, hasira, ubinafsi, husuda, kiburi, kujihurumia na mitazamo mingine mibaya na yenye kuumiza, maisha yatakuwa mzigo mzito bila kujali ubora wa jumla wa hali zetu. Kwa upande mwingine, ikiwa akili na moyo wetu hutawaliwa na roho ya shukrani, ukarimu, msamaha, subira, uthamini, fadhili na rehema, mizigo ya maisha itapunguzwa kwa uamuzi. 

How can the principle of Christian discipleship being “easy” and “light” be reconciled with the heavy demand of that discipleship presented in Luke? The answer turns on the matter of burden bearing and our attitudes towards such. As humans, we each carry heavy burdens due to our personal imperfections and the quality of life we live. It is not so much the circumstances we find ourselves in but how we evaluate those conditions that determine the weight of burdens we bear. Burdens are increased or lessened by the spirit we possess. lf we live out the spirit of resentment, anger, selfishness, envy, pride, self-pity and other such negative and hurtful attitudes, life will be a heavy burden no matter what the general quality of our circumstances may be. On the other hand, if our mind and heart are dominated by the spirit of gratitude, generosity, forgiveness, patience, appreciation, kindness and mercy, life’s burdens will be decidedly lessened.

Yesu alijua, na wanafunzi wa kweli wanaona, nguvu ya kubadilisha ya Roho Mtakatifu wa Mungu ikitenda kazi juu ya moyo na akili. Ni ndani ya uzoefu huu wa kubadilisha ambapo mwanafunzi hupitia kuondolewa kwa mizigo hiyo mizito ambayo inamnyang'anya kuridhika, furaha na tumaini. Ufuasi, ingawa unatudai sisi sote kwa kila njia, hivyo unakuwa kitu cha kutamanika na cha kuthawabisha. Wale ambao wamepitia na kuhisi Roho wa Mungu ndani yao huwafanya “kutaka na kutenda kazi kwa mapenzi yake mema” (Flp. 2:13). Watu kama hao hupata kuondolewa kwa mizigo inayosababishwa na mawazo ya kidunia (ya dhambi). Mizigo mipya ya uanafunzi ni mwepesi kwa kweli kwa kulinganishwa kwa sababu inatazamwa kuwa fursa zenye thamani za kuonyesha shukrani kwa Mungu na uaminifu kwa Yesu kama Bwana. 

Jesus knew, and true disciples experience, the transforming power of God’s Holy Spirit acting upon the heart and mind. It is within this transforming experience that the disciple undergoes the removal of those heavy burdens that rob him or her of contentment, joy and hope. Discipleship, even though it demands all of us in every way, thus becomes something both desirable and rewarding. Those who have experienced and are experiencing God’s Spirit within them causes them “both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13).  Such ones experience the lifting of burdens caused by worldly (sinful) thinking. The new burdens of discipleship are truly light in comparison because they are viewed as precious opportunities to show gratitude to God and faithfulness to Jesus as Lord.

Maisha haya mapya ambayo Roho wa Mungu hatimaye anatawala kila wazo na tendo ni eneo la ukweli ambamo mfuasi anapata amani na furaha. Sio kwamba matatizo ya maisha yanaondolewa, lakini badala yake yanatazamwa kutoka kwa mtazamo tofauti—mtazamo unaowezeshwa na Roho wa Mungu. Inapotokea kuwa jambo la kawaida kutanguliza maslahi ya wengine badala ya nafsi yako; inapokuwa asili kumpenda Mungu na Kristo kuliko uhusiano wowote wa kibinadamu; basi, na ndipo tu, ndipo tutaelewa Yesu alimaanisha nini aliposema, “nira yangu ni laini, na mzigo wangu ni mwepesi.” 

This new life in which the Spirit of God ultimately dominates every thought and action is the realm of reality in which the disciple experiences peace and joy. It is not that life’s difficulties are removed, but rather that they are viewed from a different perspective—a perspective made possible by the Spirit of God. When it becomes natural to put the interest of others ahead of one’s self; when it becomes natural to love God and Christ more than any other human relationship; then, and only then, will we understand what Jesus meant when He said, “my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”