BOOK REVIEW: “The Burden is Light” provides readers insightful, timely teaching …

If you blow the opening to something, you quickly lose a person — whether it’s in telling a story, opening a broadcast, or in this case, starting a book.

As I began reading “The Burden is Light” (published by Multnomah), I was immediately concerned about whether author Jon Tyson may have blown the opening to his new book.

That’s because the introduction of the book is titled, “The Dash,” and relays a very, very … very … very … very common sermon illustration about the “dash” you see on gravestones between the dates of birth and death. In fact, the author would go back to that story in the conclusion of the book, and reference it otherwise. My concern was, if the author was starting off with such a lack of originality, could what follows be interesting, insightful, or compelling reading?

The answer is a resounding yes.

In fact, the following chapters would flow with insightful and timely teaching that speaks originally and profoundly to those of us journeying through life in the 21st century. The world strives to harness us with heavy burdens, especially by enslaving us with performance demands and false ideas of success.

In stark contradiction to such lifestyles, Jesus calls us to a very different way of living, and to a much lighter burden by following Him rather than the world. In eight chapters, Tyson teaches us that “… in Christ was life, and that life was the light of mankind, and that light still shines in the darkness.” Tyson uses those eight chapters to teach us that light is the light of:

• • compassion in a culture of competition,
  • blessing in the face of the curse,
  • calling in a culture of comparison,
  • surrender in the face of control,
  • mercy in a culture of judgment,
  • humility in a culture of pride,
  • passion in a world of complacency,
  • presence in a culture of distraction.

Tyson repeatedly, accurately identifies the various burdensome ways we attempt to live, and does a masterful job of illustrating biblical truth for a better, less burdensome, more joy-filled life that makes his teaching profoundly relevant and practical for today’s readers. There were two occasions, in his attempt to illustrate a lesson, that I think the author picked stories that could spark strong theological dissension and turn a reader away; I hope that isn’t the case. While I personally think Tyson would have benefited by using different illustrations for these points, the overall biblical value, relevance, and timeliness of the lessons the author teaches us are worth pushing past these two questionable usages.

Jesus calls us to Himself, and tells us His burden is light. Many today might question that, only because they have managed to make heavy something Jesus intends to be much lighter and easier than we have made it. This book provides clear and insightful teaching for “liberating your life from the tyranny of performance and success.” Who wouldn’t want to do that?

Scotty

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”