by Kala Loptien

Casting Cares

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

There are a number of professions with objectives of caring, curing, helping, teaching, defending and rescuing others. First responders and medical providers, educators and counselors, pastors and chaplains, social workers and soldiers are just a few examples that come to mind. Much is expected from roles such as these. There are expectations of service, solutions and improvement. Many of us are parents, spouses, friends, neighbors, siblings, guardians and caretakers. These “off duty” roles, that happen to always be “on call” also require tremendous amounts of protection, training, counseling and selfless care.

In Galatians we are instructed to bear one another’s burdens. So many of you are out there every day — at work and at home — going above and beyond. The stories, grief, emergencies and ailments continue to break our hearts. Even the strongest, most mentally-adept person will find themselves weighed down by the heaviness of others. And though we are told to take care of one another and shoulder those burdens, there’s another action that must take place. I’ll call it a “hand-off” since we’re in football season. While we are certainly part of the playbook; we are not to continue carrying the ball.

God tells us to cast those cares, take His yoke and find rest for our souls. When we are weak, He is strong. In fact, His power is made perfect in weakness. We needn’t feel we have to control the outcome or be misled that extra worry will solve problems. He’s got this. He loves His children way more than we do! It’s true: we’ve been commissioned to be His hands and feet. We do have good works He has pre-planned for us. But in order to continue fighting the fight the right way; loving our neighbor and carrying out our calling, we must be able to release the weight. We have to find rest. We must entrust all cares to the one who cares for us.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado