Posted as part of the blog http://somethingshappeninghere.wordpress.

com/2013/01/20/weight-of-the-world

Weight of the World

We do not need to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. We can simply let it go release it all at the feet of Jesus, at his specific direction and invitation - and trust that he will take care of us; that his will, not ours, will be done; that we are entrusted with our part to play; and that he has equipped us with everything we need to do so effectively and for his greater purpose.

There are those among us who, for whatever reason, feel an enormous weight on our shoulders; who take on far too much responsibility out of a sense of inherent obligation; and who take personally the liability of the outcomes, even the pitfalls of the day-to-day quest to reach the culmination of the goal. Like a compounded, modern day version of Atlas, who carried the world on his shoulders, and Sisyphus, who was consigned to an eternity of monumental but fruitless effort, we persist in feeling personally responsible for tasks beyond our control, and at the same time, personally accountable for the results. Sound like anyone you know? Whether the personal sense of obligation is related to ones place in the family, position at work, role in church, school or other institution, we put enormous pressure on ourselves to, at minimum, hold it all together, but at best to have a tremendous impact in the positive direction. We want to ensure we do no harm especially to others. And at the same time, we feel we must do it all. But we have to stop to consider the sense of harm we can do to ourselves with this enormous self-imposed pressure. Well - thank God there is a remedy! One of the most needed passages for us present-day Atlas and Sisyphus to hear is from the Gospel of Matthew. Straight from Jesus mouth, we are invited (indeed directed): 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. (Matthew 11:28-29). Stunned at his 20/20 insight into our personal lives and trials, we stop in our tracks, suddenly realizing how great these burdens have grown, and how heavy the weight we have been carrying. Simultaneously relieved, yet still tentative to let go, we consider the release the allure of the soothing sense of ease, the gentleness, the humility, the rest for our souls - in conflict with our need to hang on to what we think is our important purpose, task or goal. To let go is to surrender the fight; to surrender the fight is to question our purpose; and to question our purpose can leave us feeling weak, powerless, vulnerable. If we do not need to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders, then who will? Who ultimately will take care of it all? Jesus will. He instructs: Come, and follow me (Matthew 4:19); for whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (John 8:12); so then come to me, unload your burdens, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). By following Christ, we are invited to release it all, and encouraged to forget all that is behind, straining instead towards what is ahead, pressing on towards the goal his goal for us (Philippians 3:13-14). Instead of feeling vulnerable, we can

be confident that he has prepared us for whatever lies ahead, and that we are never alone (Deuteronomy 31:7-8) (see footnote). I like the term John Ortberg coined in his article Hope Matters - by releasing it all, we can become a recovering Atlas - learning day-by-day to surrender it all to the One who invites us to do so, calling on him to lead us through our daily trials, and recognizing that he will take care of us and will provide the means to see us through as it fits his divine purpose. Praise be to God for that!

Blessing: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

footnote: There can be no question of his infinite care and love for us; nor can there be question of his call, his summons to a specific purpose or mission. With that determination in mind, we should be able to go forward boldly, resolute in the part we are playing in his overall plan. For he is not sending us onward ill-equipped; indeed, he has carefully prepared each one of us with the skills, gifts, resources and tools we will need to tackle each challenge. Reference: http://somethingshappeninghere.wordpress.com/2013/01/13/precious-in-his-sight/

Worship Songs to Support the Message: Lead Me, by Sanctus Real Father give me the strength to be everything Im called to be lead me, cause I cant do this alone. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGfriqAZdHA lyrics: http://www.elyrics.net/read/s/sanctus-real-lyrics/lead-me-lyrics.html

Strong Enough, by Matthew West You must think Im strong to give me what Im going through but this looks like more than I can do. Lord, right now, Im asking you to be strong enough. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knuHDPbE5es lyrics: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/matthewwest/strongenough.html

We Fall Down (Instrumental), by Chris Tomlin Played by Zachary Schmidt http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofrSYqa1ymI lyrics: http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/We-Fall-Down-lyrics-ChrisTomlin/CB57B8B6F5F7F2C948256DF20024A800

Breathe on Me, Breath of God (Instrumental) Breathe on me, breath of God, fill me with life anew that I may love what thou dost love, and do what thou wouldst do. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2h3eiZUrKmo lyrics: http://www.hymns.me.uk/breathe-on-me-breath-of-god-favorite-hymn.htm

FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky. In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints. Other times there were one set of footprints. This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life When I was suffering from anguish, sorrow, or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints. So I said to the Lord, "You promised me, Lord, That if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I noticed that during the most trying periods of my life There have only been one set of prints in the sand. Why, When I have needed you most, you have not been there for me?" The Lord replied, "The times when you have seen only one set of footprints Is when I carried you." (original author disputed)