Burdens
Cast all your cares on him for he cares for you. 1 Pet 5:7
Once there was a young man who loved climbing. He was one of
those toddlers who scale bookcases and became a preteen who climbed trees, then
a teenager who climbed on the roof. Mountain climbing was a more appropriate
use for these skills so he learned on the mountains nearby. He loved the
feeling of accomplishment and the excitement of looking down at the world. For
graduation, his father paid for a trip in the Himalayas. He hired a Sherpa for
a guide and a llama for a pack animal. The young man showed up at base camp
ready to go. He had a huge pack, a sleeping bag, canteen and safety equipment.
The Sherpa instructed him to load his gear on the llama, but the young man
refused, saying he was capable of carrying it himself. The started the climb
and the young man quickly got tired. Again the Sherpa told him to let the llama
carry his gear, but the young man refused saying the llama might not be strong
enough and he might lose some of his gear. After an hour he grudgingly put his
canteen on the llama but insisted he was fine with the rest. After another hour
he said “I wish I could put the rest of my gear on the llama, but I am just not
worthy” He put his sleeping bag on the
llama but insisted on keeping the heavy pack, saying it was too much for the
poor animal to have to carry. The Sherpa explained that the animals are trained
from an early age and are strong and sure footed. They climbed a while longer
and the going was easier but as the air got thinner, it was harder to carry the
pack. Again the Sherpa begged him to put the rest of his burdens on the animal,
but he complained that it was too
expensive. The Sherpa shook his head and told the boy that the price was
already paid for the llama to carry his things for him. The boy slipped
gratefully out of the heavy pack and put it on the llama. He was able to make
the rest of the journey with greater ease and enjoyment.
What would you have told the young man? How silly to refuse
a gift and insist on carrying his own burdens. Does he sound like anyone we
know, though? What kinds of excuses (I’m sorry. I meant good reasons.) do we
use for not casting our cares on Jesus? I would expect they are the same ones that the
young man used. We are capable of handling it ourselves. It might not be safe
to accept help. We are not worthy. It is too expensive. We might let him carry
some of our burdens but hold tightly to
others out of either shame or pride. Jesus came specifically to do for us what
we cannot do for ourselves. He came willingly and he paid the price already. We
can let go of our fears, our shame and our desperate need to protect ourselves.
Jesus described this as taking his yoke upon us, ….. and we
shall find rest. (Matt 11:29) Psalms 68:9 says Praise be to the Lord, to God
our Savior, who daily bears our burdens 1 Peter 5:7 says cast your cares upon
you for he cares for you. Matthew 6 tells us about the dangers of worry.
Take the plunge and have the faith to give your burdens over
to the Lord. The rest of your climb will be easier and more enjoyable.
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