Psalm 55:22 NIV “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you”
Message “Pile your troubles on God’s shoulder’s – he’ll carry your load, he’ll help you out.”
Stimulated by April 13th My Utmost For His Highest
Folks, there are times when we really need to recognize the difference in His assignments that may become burdensome. There are those that are right for us to bear vs. those burdens that are beyond our current gifts and capabilities, much like I’ve heard answers to prayer summarized: yes, no, not yet, maybe even, never! Attractive burdens beyond our reach or grasp require we’re intimately communicating and discerning under the Spirit’s influence.
First, we should never bear the burdens of sin or doubt; they require our immediate attention. However, there are some burdens placed on us by God which He does not intend to lift off. Rather, God wants us to roll them back on Him— to literally “cast your burden,” which He has given you, “on the Lord….” We are simply not aware how devoted Satan is that we totally destroy our very souls, once we’ve set out to serve God and do His bidding while traveling the sanctification interstate highway of bliss or its detour route, Trail of Tears, depending on His placement at the moment in our HisStory.
Either way, because of the sinful roots that the sanctification tears have yet not shaken loose deep within our heart, mind & soul, nor have they yet been purged by the Son’s Light of Truth, thereby allowing Satan’s negativity to cause our instinctual cultural work ethic desire to kick in taking charge of an apparently failing spiritual situation in our life, thereby setting asunder our initial justification desire and passion for His continuing quiet refreshing moments of intimacy and spiritual refueling, while we transition from milk to meat.
Suddenly we realize, as did Adam & Eve in the Garden of Eden, we’ve been snookered by Satan’s deceptions, we’ve lost our intimate closeness with Him. And just as with other Bible characters, such as King David and Peter’s thrice denial, our guilt will be overwhelming and defeating. We’ve been here before. We’ve experienced forgiveness, renewal, & restoration. But next time, let’s pause, reflect, and simply relish the Spirit’s intimacy, and then roll back on God shoulders those burdens He has placed on us, and his desire to train us for greater spiritual competencies, so as to not allow our spiritual immaturity to hijack our sanctification process to date. He will take away that immense fear of failing after accepting an assignment, or responsibility, replacing our fear (false evidence appearing real) with an awareness and understanding of His I AM’NESS and His empowering presence to complete whatever the task that became a burden, by we humbling ourselves and accepting His help.
Many servants set out to serve God with great courage and the right motives. We disciples, however innocently we’ve become disconnected from the Vine, once derailed and without daily intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ and His body of disciples, are very soon defeated producing a fatal overwhelming weariness in our lives. Other disciples may see this and say, “What a sad end to someone that had such a great `beginning!”
“Cast your burden on the Lord….” You have been bearing it all, but you need to deliberately place one end on God’s shoulder. “…the government (perhaps even confused Anabaptist lone rangers) will not merely accept, but will seek the help of His shoulder” (Isaiah 9:6) my paraphrase). Commit to God whatever burden He has placed on you. Don’t ever just cast it aside, but put it over onto Him and place yourself there with it. You will see that your burden is then lightened by the sense and innate strength of His intimate companionship. Neither should you ever try to separate yourself from your burden. He is trusting you, even training you by opportunity, and will reward you, or not, just as in the parable of the talents.
And that my friend, is another subject for another day.
NEXT UP: No idea. The fact is though, this blog may be suspended until fall because of prior commitments back in Ohio. The next month(s) may well reveal much to all of us.
Until next time and even far beyond, always remain vigilant in His spirit, never internalizing any hypocrisy, fervent in both scripture and prayer, continually watching His fruits (love, joy, peace patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) being formed, tasted, distributed and intimately shared from His orchard (see Galatians 5:22 The Message) by His disciples as encouraged in I & II Peter, and specifically in 1 Peter 3:15-16 (MSG) “Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They’ll end up realizing that they’re the ones who need a bath.”