Here...Carry This....

Here...carry this....

Those are words that you will not likely here out of my mouth and I tell you, that is not very Christian of me.

Our lives are pretty chaotic these days, not because there is an overwhelming amount to do, but because there is just so much godless chatter. Whether it is politics (and we all know that will just increase), COVID, schools, governors, presidents, riots, race, and on. It is literally non-stop, and while we all leverage this wonderful technology to stay in touch, work remote, order groceries, it is also a stress building web!!

We are inundated with thoughts, perpsectives, and advice. Wear a mask, but not that kind. Will I get somebody sick if I go to the store? Will I get sick? Should I go to that restaurant so people can still have a job? Are my kids going to school? “Let me tell you what the right thing to think about that!” Heard it, right?

Those things weigh heavily on us in this changed world. They are burdens! Burdens, burdens, burdens! They create stress, anxiety, and on. Christians are not immune from this, we are human, we still struggle, so what do we do? Today as I was mowing the lawn, I was thinking about meeting Jesus face to face. What if I ran into Him as I was out for a walk and had a chance to just sit and talk with Him. He would know I’m stressed, and He would say to me, “Why are you troubled?” And because He asked, I would tell Him about all of things on my shoulders- job, health, Covid, elections, church, and on. And He would look me in the eyes and probably ask me: “Do you trust Me?” He would probably notice I was a little quick to the “Yes Lord, of course.” He would know that was not true.

He, of course, wouldn’t rebuke me, but likely put a hand on my shoulder and say “Trust Me. You worry about these things, and I know you do, but Trust Me. You are Mine.” Imagine that conversation, and the sense of relief that would overwhelm you...it did me today. Just a sense of peace and calm.

Prayer is definitely good, but God also knows that we are beings that need to see and hear. In Galatians 6:2, it says “Bear one another’s burdens...” Now, the astute would say that Paul is referring to sin here, not my stress or anxiety. Ah, but when we do not trust the Lord, are we sinning? That is for you to ponder!

While we cannot see Christ physically, we, with the Holy Spirit, have Christ in us. We, in turn, can be that gentle hand on the shoulder saying “Trust Him.” Even in the midst of real tragedy, God does not leave us alone. We are assured eternity with Him! Our burdens, this sin that we carry around, simply just makes life before eternity, that much harder!

Today, this day, Saturday the 15th, reach out to a brother or sister in Christ. Ask them what you can pray for them about. What stress, anxiety, even sin, do they struggle with, so that you can carry that with them. And “you” here is not just you, it is you with CHRIST! And when somebody reaches out to you today, because you are very apparently carrying a heavy load, do not pull it closer to you, do not push their hand a way, say “yes, carry this please.”

In the middle of a pandemic, we need Him more than ever. Him, is within us, which obligates us to carry each other’s burdens. Gently restore. Bring peace.

Have a wonderful rest of your Saturday! Invite somebody to church tomorrow, whether in person, or virtually! Peace!