Put it down
Many years ago I heard a speaker ask “why do we continue to carry our suitcases (this was before rolling luggage) or packages when we are on an escalator, we could put them down?” Wow, that was such an interesting image and thought to me. Why do I carry something I could put down?
I was reminded of that last week as I was hauling two heavy bags from my car through the streets of Brooklyn. Since I wasn’t on a moving sidewalk or escalator, those bags won’t move on their own but I could still put them down for a moment, catch my breath, and then continue on my way which is what I did. And as I did, I thought why do I struggle when it is okay to stop and rest, or regroup, or switch hands, or make two trips. Sometimes what we are carrying isn’t a physical item, it is worry or the cares and responsibilities of daily life.
In Matthew 6, we are reminded of how God cares for his creation and us.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:25-34
The Bible also reminds us.
“Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you;” Psalm 55:22a AMPC“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 NIV“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
Ann, I think it is a willful philosophy from our culture. We have been taught to “he independent.” But that it not God’s way. He wants our dependence to be on His provision and His plan. Thank you for the reminder.
so true.
My motto for the past 3 years has been: one day at a time. I can’t worry about what tomorrow brings. With His help, I will tackle tomorrow when it get here. 🙂
Ann, what a provoking thought you give us today. I think one of the reasons we have a hard time putting things down is because we are taught it is our responsibility to carry our own things. From childhood, we are told to carry our own backpack and our own jacket. I can remember many times telling our kids as we went into an amusement park, if you take your jacket off, you are responsible to carry it, not me. We need to relearn, rethink and readjust our thinking when it comes to letting God carry our “stuff”.
Through my breast cancer journey (12 years ago) my motto was the next ten minutes, Lord let’s do the the next ten minutes. Sometimes one day is even too much. He is faithful each and every moment.
Oops! I replied to Iris under Laurie’s comment.
Laurie, I so agree about being taught to be responsible which is something we should strive to be. I think the adjustment needs to be to a shared carrying. The realization that we don’t do it alone. He is ever present, ever able, and ever ready to bear the burden with us and for us. And also that we can give ourselves a break and trust Him.