by Richelle Hecker

When we are heavy laden

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

Life’s burdens do not contain themselves to certain seasons. It would be nice if everything were predictable and we could plan for difficult times ahead, yet burdens often come without warning. They are heavy, debilitating, and threaten to break us at the very core. Sometimes we may have an inkling that something is brewing, but when it actually hits the blow is much harder than we could have imagined.

I took this picture of trees in my yard in late May. Weather predictions called for a dusting of snow or maybe even up to one or two inches. We were slammed with about ten inches of snow in just a few hours. The snow was wet and very heavy. Trees in our community became so burdened that many of their limbs snapped and fell. Some trees broke at their trunks.

The Bible tells us that we will suffer burdens. They will come from anxiety in our hearts, the weight of our sin, as lessons that bring us growth, and from others that lay them on us. They might slowly build over time, or they could come suddenly like this spring snow. They threaten to harm us and break us.

Still there is relief from burdens. As the sun came up, the snow in this picture quickly melted. Time does heal us. Also, while the trees were in danger, many people went out in the storm and shook the snow from their limbs to help them. In Exodus 23 God exhorts us to help relieve each others burdens, not just for those we love, but also for our enemies. Finally, God promises to give us rest from our burdens.

 “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 New International Version

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado