Did Your Father Ask You To Carry That?

Are you carrying things you were never meant to carry? Are you lugging around baggage you were never meant to hold? Are you holding onto hurts that are not yours to heal? How about worries that are too cumbersome for you? Are you exhausted with assignments you were never asked to complete? What about expectations you were never meant to meet?

Does any of this sound familiar? I know it does for me, and I’m sure you can relate too.

How many times do we carry around things that are too heavy for us, all the while forgetting that we have a God who is right there, with arms outstretched, just waiting for us to place our burdens into his hands.

I am reminded of some beautiful verses found in the book of Matthew.

Matthew 11:28-30  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Are you labouring under a heavy burden and longing for rest? The burdens we place upon ourselves are so much heavier than what God chooses to place on our shoulders. He alone knows the weight that we are able to bear. He alone knows what we can handle.

The word yoke is not a word we toss around much in this day and age, but it held great relevance in ancient times. The yoke was a device that was used to join a pair of animals that were working together. When Jesus encourages us to take HIS yoke upon us, he’s inviting us to do life WITH HIM, rather than FOR HIM. He graciously and lovingly makes himself available to us, to work with us, side by side, step by step, in the yoke together.

He knows that if we try to carry the burden on our own, we will stumble and fall. We are not able to bear our burdens alone. But if we partner up with him, and place HIS yoke upon our shoulders, as he places the yoke upon himself beside us, we will be able to do great things for him. We will be able to serve in a greater and more rewarding capacity than we ever could alone. We will be able to face what he sends our way. We will have the strength to face the storm. We will be able to face a raging sea with courage. We will not fear when the darkness comes.

The phrase “my burden is light” doesn’t mean that life will be easy, and everything will be smooth sailing. We are delusional if we think we will face no obstacles and the path will always be straight and smooth. No. The Lord Jesus is not promising to clear our path of any obstacles and create detours around pain and suffering, but he is offering to make the load we carry fit the road we travel.

When we walk with Jesus, obey his commands, and trust in him wholeheartedly, he promises that he will walk beside us and help lift the load, strengthening our tired arms and lightening our weary steps.

So, if the weight you are bearing today feels overwhelming and you are struggling beneath it, then maybe it’s time for you to fall to your knees and ask God to show you what you are meant to be carrying. It’s time to loosen the load you bear, let it fall to the ground and ask him to place upon you what you are meant to carry, as his burden is light and his yoke is easy.

Ask yourself the question, “Did my Father ask me to carry this?” And if he didn’t, then lay it down. Place your burden at Jesus’ feet. Give him all your cares, all your worries, all your expectations, your exhaustion, your stress, your fears. He can handle it. God is bigger than all your problems. In fact, he’s bigger than the problems of the whole world! He is able to carry them.

He promises to give you rest for your weary soul. He promises to go before you and he knows what lies ahead, so he can fit you for the future. Trust him. Rest in his promises. Banish fear and embrace his power. Let him be your guide and stop carrying things you were never meant to carry!

 

Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

 

“Come and lay your burdens down
To the place where freedom is found
At the feet, at the feet of Jesus
Come and lay your burdens down”