11/24/2021
More often than not, when I take an honest look at the pieces of life that are weighing me down, I discover I’m carrying things my Father never asked me to pick up.
I'm lugging around worries He's asked me to yield.
I’m hauling around hurts that aren’t mine to heal.
I’m exhausted by assignments He’s never asked me to complete.
I’m collapsing beneath expectations that aren’t mine to meet.
And it’s there, in that place of humble contemplation, that the words of Matthew 11:28-30 offer me relief:
“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.’”
While the phrase “easy to bear” (v. 30) may sound like a proclamation for a problem-free life, Jesus isn’t promising a detour around challenge or pain. He’s actually offering to make our load the right size for the journey. The original word for this little phrase can be translated as “manageable” or “well-fitted.” It paints a picture of a pack that is suited for the one who carries it.
What an amazing proposition! When we share our steps with Jesus — walking in His presence and following His Word — He promises that the load He places upon us will be fitted to the strength He imbues within us.
So, if the weight you’re carrying feels cumbersome, perhaps it’s time to sidle up to Jesus and ask Him to show you what was never yours to hold.
-Alicia Bruxvoort
What are you carrying today that God never asked you to pick up?
