The Burden Is Light - by Jon Tyson (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A NYC pastor and global influencer inspires readers to find their most meaningful and purposeful life. Surprising to many, this life is not measured by success, comparison, or accolades. Rather, free and joyful living stems from a God-centered celebration of our union with Christ and the lives of those around us.

Jon Tyson's exploration of the reverse economy of the kingdom frees his readers from merit-based living...not just in terms of salvation, but daily, earthly value. Life is not meant to be a series of competitions or a survival of the fittest rat race. Yet so many of the messages around us, so many of the voices bombarding our hearts and minds tie up our value and package it with our accolades.

This book gives another way forward. It shows readers how to value their individual lives based on what God says about them, rather than how they measure themselves against the world. This is a must read for each and every person trying to find their voice and purpose in a loud and frenetic world.

Review Quotes

"Reading The Burden Is Light felt like laying down a heavy, crippling weight and slowly breathing out a deep sigh of relief. It exposed the untrue narratives of our culture around success, the lies that, if we live into them over a lifetime, tragically become all too true. I can't think of a more important task for our cultural moment than redefining success around the easy yoke of Jesus. This book does exactly that. Jon Tyson, one of the most important voices of our time, does some of his best work yet. From the moment I read the subtitle, I was hooked. I can't wait for you to have the same experience."
--John Mark Comer, pastor for vision and teaching at Bridgetown Church and author of God Has a Name

"At some point we all must decide how we will invest this one life we've been given. Some will pursue self-exalting ends, such as power, riches, recognition, and control. Others will pursue God- and other- centered ends, such as the sharing of power, giving generously, pouring ourselves out in lives of service, and trusting God to direct our affairs. In this simultaneously convicting and liberating book, Jon gives us fresh eyes to see the folly of the former and the wisdom of the latter. I pray that The Burden Is Light will have an impact on you in the way that it did me, as it presses us to revisit the wise words penned by C. S. Lewis: 'Aim at Heaven and you will get Earth "thrown in" Aim at Earth and you will get neither.'"
--Scott Sauls, senior pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville and author of Jesus Outside the Lines and From Weakness to Strength

"We live in a world that esteems and promotes values counter to the kingdom of God. Unknowingly, many believers have embraced the world's values and are therefore not experiencing the fullness of God made available to those who embrace the ways of the kingdom. I am so grateful that God has raised up Jon Tyson as a voice to the church, calling us to a better way of living. His latest book, The Burden Is Light, has a brilliant and profound message that will free you from the pressure of performance-based living, which is ultimately fueled by a wrong definition of success. There is no one better to write on this issue than Jon, who has lived out this message in a city that relentlessly pursues endeavors that will never satisfy the deep longing of the heart. This book is a necessary manifesto on choosing to live a different way and experiencing the freedom and deep satisfaction only found in God."
--Banning Liebscher, founder and pastor of Jesus Culture, author of Rooted: The Hidden Places Where God Develops You

"I have always appreciated Jon's thoughtful approach to faith, culture, and spiritual formation. I am excited that he is willing to share some of the most important insights he has learned pastoring in New York over the last decade."
--Gabe Lyons, founder of Q and author of unChristian, The Next Christians, and Good Faith

"Despite living in such comfortable times with historically unparalleled levels of freedom, many of us live with a stifling blanket of anxiety, comparison, and failure weighing us down. With candor, curiosity, and Christlikeness, Jon Tyson shows us a better way, pointing us toward the abundant life Jesus promised us."
--Mark Sayers, senior leader of Red Church, Melbourne, Australia, and author of Disappearing Church and Strange Days

"Jon Tyson is the real deal. He has worked out his understanding of discipleship, mission, and spirituality in the rough and tumble of New York, a city infamous for its sheer busyness and drivenness. The result of his personal integrity in wrestling with the issues is that he has bequeathed to us a book that is as profound as it is practical. A worthy read!"
--Alan Hirsch, author and activist

"Our culture drives us to do more, achieve more and accumulate more. In this world, our worth depends on it. Culture appeals to our natural instincts, like the Manhattan mother Jon Tyson and his wife encountered who informed them their son would be left behind forever if they didn't put him into the right kindergarten. Who wants their child left behind--forever? The pressure's on. And so, we give in, thinking we are being prudent, not thinking we are chaining ourselves to the demands of a remorseless culture. Tyson examines our cultural drives against eight opposite biblical qualities. The result is like an elaborated version of Galatians 5:19-26, which contrasts 'acts of the flesh' with 'fruit of the Spirit, ' though Tyson's list includes compassion, surrender, mercy, humility, being present and remembering one's calling. One reason Tyson gives for placing trust in God's ways over our culture's is that God predetermined the timing and course of our lives (p. 75). A Calvinist interpretation of God's sovereignty is not necessary for a Christian to trust in God's benevolence, however. Tyson's personal stories of failure are some of the gold in the book, creating a direct connection between the Christian ideal and the struggle to combat the cultural pressure to anchor worth and identity in comparison, competition, striving for control, judgment, pride and busyness.
In place of simply doing more, achieving more and accumulating more, Tyson encourages us to be more--more connected to Christ. In that connection is true freedom and rest."
--Eric Black, Baptist Standard

About the Author

Jon Tyson is a widely respected church planter and leader in New York City. Originally from Adelaide, Australia, Jon moved to the United States almost twenty years ago with a passion to seek and cultivate renewal in the Western Church. Jon has spoken at Q Conference, Catalyst, Verge Network, The New Wine Conference, and other key venues around the world. He is often sought out for his insights on how culture and faith intersect, and is known for his preaching, which is a rare combination of passion and depth. Jon lives in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan with his wife and two children.