But I began thinking about that--what does that mean exactly? Here's what Oswald Chambers says, "We must recognize the difference between burdens that are right for us to bear and burdens that are wrong. We should never bear the burdens of sin or doubt [because Jesus bore and removed those for us at the cross!], but there are some burdens placed on us by God which He does not intend to lift off. God wants us to roll them back on Him--to literally 'cast your burden,' which He has given you, 'on the Lord...' If we set out to serve God and do His work but get out of touch with Him, the sense of responsibility we feel will be overwhelming and defeating. But if we will only roll back on God the burdens He has placed on us, He will take away that immense feeling of responsibility, replacing it with an awareness and understanding of Himself and His presence."
As long as we live on this planet, we will bear burdens. The burdens of parenting, of work, of sickness, of ministry, of loving and serving other people. Not to mention the burdens of dying to our selfishness or of relinquishing our desire to be in control or have things our way! And sometimes it's simply the burden of having a lot to do and limited time and energy--burdens occasioned by people we love or ministry we enjoy or work we just have to do.
But isn't it good to remember that our Sovereign God has given us these burdens. They are allowed by Him and surely are used by Him to cause us to depend upon Him and to grow in our likeness to Christ. Thank goodness for work--for it means there are people in our life that count on us to provide for their needs or to bring light and joy into their world. The people in our lives bring burdens--but, oh, the incalculable joy they bring as well!
No burdens...no blessings.
Moreover, if we had no burdens, we'd be spiritual pygmies...and horrifically selfish and shallow ones at that!
No, God gives those burdens that we might continually cast them upon Him. Hand Him the full bulk of that burden so that it's discouraging and exhausting weight are all upon His omnipotent shoulders. He can easily bear it..and you can fully trust Him, knowing that while you still bear the shadow of that burden, He carries it's actual weight for you. "You have been bearing it all," Oswald Chambers writes, "but you need to deliberately place one end on God's shoulder...[for]'the government will be upon His shoulder.'" If He can carry the weight of all the governance of the entire universe, He can surely bear your burdens as well!
So this morning, Peter and I had a little lesson in burden-bearing from Mr. B. Peter's home sick today...feeling achy and crummy. He plopped down on the kitchen floor, and who should immediately crawl into his lap to offer his comfort and consolation? You probably guessed--
So thank You, Father, for Your promise that if we will cast our burdens upon You, You'll not only bear them, but You will sustain us in the midst of whatever we are enduring...and enable us to stand strong and immovable. Not my word...but Yours.
And thank You, also, that You call and enable us to help one another bear those burdens. What a privilege to comfort and encourage others who are struggling with life's burdens. And what a gift to be the one who is strengthened by other's coming alongside us to help us carry our load.
And thank You, also, that You call and enable us to help one another bear those burdens. What a privilege to comfort and encourage others who are struggling with life's burdens. And what a gift to be the one who is strengthened by other's coming alongside us to help us carry our load.
Bingley was doing his best to be a burden-bearer...but You are our perfect, never-failing Burden-Bearer. Thank You, Lord Jesus. Might we continually cast our burdens upon You...and be ready and available to encourage and strengthen others with their loads as well. You will never fail us, Father.
To God be the glory.
To God be the glory.
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