Midweek Moment

Burdens. Have any? That is a rhetorical question. We all have them. Some seasons, more than others. Sometimes these burdens are felt because of circumstances. Either circumstances we have created or imagined, or circumstances that are completely out of our control. Other times these burdens are felt because of emotions. We are worried, stressed, angry, feel betrayed, or any other of the myriad of emotions that we endure.

Last week in worship, we talked about traveling light. We looked at the hope and peace we can find in our Good Shepherd. We talked about how our relationship with the Triune God has been accurately likened to that between a sheep and a shepherd. We tried to make the link between our dependance and God's faithfulness and how when we turn to God, lean on God, fall into God, God will always be there. That God is the same faithful God today, that God was yesterday, and that God will be tomorrow.

I am not telling you anything new when I say, this life is full of challenges. Physically, emotionally, and spiritually we are continuously shifting our energies, moving our focus, doing our best to keep life from crashing down all around us. But we have hope. Sunday I referenced Matthew 11:28, “Come to me all who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest”. As you read that just now, did you feel a peace come over you? Read it again if you want. Read it slowly, letting each word and the meaning they carry just hang in the air. Concentrate on the words found in that verse. Think about what this passage is telling you.

Now I want you to imagine a time in your life, when everything was coming up roses. Maybe that was a while back...maybe that time is now. Just think to a time when burdens were light, life was good, and peace reigned supreme. Remember how you felt? Do you want to feel like that more often? Do you want to live a life of easier burdens, freed to do what God calls you to do?

So often those burdens we are under stop us from being proactive for God and force us to be reactive for ourselves. We spend more time reacting to problems, than basking in blessings. We drown in problems rather than float on opportunities.

My challenge for all of us is to go before the Good Shepherd, and ask for a lighter burden. Ask God to free us from those things that weigh us down. Ask Christ to show us the path to contentment in the right things so we may give more time to the proper things. I know it is no easy task, but with God...all things are possible!

Have a great week!