Drop the Weight

Last week I enjoyed an amazing experience at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference held on the property of the beautiful Ridgecrest Conference Center in Black Mountain, NC. Breathtaking views of the mountains surrounded me at every turn and increased my awe of our great Creator. Heart-felt worship, inspiring devotions, and keynote speeches fed and refreshed my soul and spirit.

Although immensely blessed in many ways throughout the week, my physical body ached and rebelled against the weight of the backpack filled with my laptop, three-ring binder, notebook, snacks, water bottle, and more. Over the course of six days, I lugged that pack up and down steep hills and multiple staircases as if my life depended on it. My neck and shoulders are still in recovery mode.

On day two I removed extra tabs, sleeves, and sticky notepads from my binder that weren’t needed. Day three found me ditching the spiral notebook and extra snacks. More unnecessary, but oh so helpful, items were left in my room the following day. The ache from the weight I carried compelled me to drop the unnecessary items that weighed me down in order to better manage the necessities.

This is true in our spiritual lives. In case you haven’t noticed, life is hard, y’all… even when we know and love Jesus. Maybe more-so because we know and love Jesus. Tragedies occur, people spew their own hurts on us, friends disappoint, failure paralyzes. No doubt you are filling in the blank with your own experiences right now.

Over time, we pick up baggage along the journey through life and we begin to feel weighed down. We become tired and weary and fight against the temptation to give up and say, “It’s not worth it anymore.”

Friend, we have a God who understands. He knows our weakness, that we are only dust. Our God calls us to drop the weight we carry and lean on Him. He is our refuge and strength. He is our comfort and hope.

Is the weight you carry too much? Do you need to unload some unnecessary items from your backpack in order to better manage the necessary? Call on Jesus.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Mathew 11:28

If you have an extra ten minutes to spare, take the time to watch this video by the “Skit Guys.” They share some great truth about the baggage we carry through life.

May you be encouraged in the Lord today, knowing He is with you, walking in front of, behind, and beside you. Lay your burdens at His feet, lighten your load, and rest in Him.