“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I’ll give
you rest." ~ Matthew 11:28
Sometimes watching others takes
your mind off yourself. While waiting in
my car for my wife to pick up a few items, I noticed a young couple with a
toddler leaving the grocery store. They all
carried bags – even the toddler. He struggled
to hold onto a rather large package of diapers.
The little guy tried his best to hold the bag up but it was
nearly as big as he was. Inevitably,
both the boy and the package fell onto wet pavement. I’m sure I saw him mouthing “help” to parents
walking several steps ahead.
Mom stopped and helped the child
to his feet. She didn’t scold him for
lagging behind. Then she looped the
boy’s arms through the handles of the bag so he could wear it like a backpack.
Smiling triumphantly, the boy held his arms wide for a hug,
his miniature hands looking sweet, almost comical. They say you can't bottle love. I think they're wrong as he hustled to keep
up.
Scenes like that bundle of cuteness remind me that people are
inherently good and caring; else the tide of doomsday press would sweep me into
some fearful and biased thought pattern.
But the wisdom in it resonated in my mind. Aren’t we a lot like this child? Whether we asked for it or it was given to us,
sometimes we wind up carrying burdens that are too heavy or awkward to handle. Wouldn’t it be simpler if God just took them
from us?
He could send a check in the mail, heal our bodies, or mend
broken relationships. There’s nothing He,
who created the universe, can’t do.
But instead, God lets us carry them ourselves, walking
closely beside us, adjusting the burden just enough so that it’s bearable.
But there’s something we must do to receive that
promise. We must first turn our heart to
God and cast our burden(s) to Him. He
loves us, welcomes us, and promises to help us (Hebrews 4:16). Ask Him to save your marriage, keep you
employed, save your children, improve your health or lighten whatever else
burdens you.
God may choose to help … but the Bible also teaches that He
may not. So the next step is
crucial. Trust that if He allows
this pain to happen, it’s to bring you more joy in Him. God promises to orchestrate everything -
including every pain, sorrow, and trial.
Lord, You’re my shelter from the storm and shade
from the heat. It’s Your hand that lifts
me when I fall. Thank You for hearing my
cry, for seeing my afflictions and noting my distress. I cast my burdens upon You, rejoicing in Your
steadfast love. Amen
