Saturday, September 12, 2015

what to do with our burdens

Today's readings: Isaiah 8:1-9:21, 2 Cor 12:1-10, Psalm 55:1-23, Prov 23:4-5

The date is 9/11. We remember the horror that happened 14 years ago. Incidentally, Paul remembers in the NT reading something very different that happened to him 14 years prior to his writing, when he was taken up to "the third heaven". In a way, that is appropriate, since many were taken up from us 14 years ago today to heaven as well.

But many of us are feeling the weight right now. The weight of living... the weight of sadness. Many of us are struggling with the burden of anxiety, of fear, of grief. And it's easy to think that we have to carry these weights around ourselves, because we see everyone around us carrying their own weights, or even heavier ones than we are carrying. We don't want to share our burdens with them, because they have enough to carry already.

But there is One who stands ready to shoulder your burden. He says in the Psalm today that we should "Give our burdens to the LORD, and He will take care of" us. Jesus said the same thing in the pic above... if we come to Him and give Him our burdens, He will give us rest.

I can tell you that this is true, from my own experience. I have struggled with burdens... everyone has. I have my own fears and worries and anxieties and regrets. From the little pet peeves of things in my daily life, to the fear as I grow older that my body will start breaking down and that I'll grow old alone (who doesn't worry about these things?), I have the human condition to worry about.

But God wants to take those worries from me. He wants to fill me with peace and hope. He wants His love and grace to fill me up so that my worries evaporate in the sunshine of His presence. All I have to do is ask.

God, please take my burdens, and give me your rest.

1 comment:

Julie said...

I'll tell you what, I'll out live you (very old crappy mother) so you will not grow old alone. Love you!