Burdens? What Burdens?

What burdens you? We have family cares and worries, jobs, health issues, heavy responsibilities, even bad habits and besetting sin that weigh us down.  One of the interesting things about the Christian life is what the Bible has to say about burdens.  We are to cast all of our burdens on Him, because He cares for us (I Peter 5:7).  If we are heavy-laden, Jesus tells us to come to Him and we’ll find rest because His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30). He wants to carry our load for us.  We are told not to worry, but to pray, and He will give us peace (Philippians 4:6-7).  And of course, Hebrews 12:1-2 reminds us that we are to lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us so that we can run the race, unencumbered.  Sounds like God wants us free of any burdens that could overwhelm us and slow our progress.

Oops!  Not all burdens!  There is a burden we are to carry.  Galatians 6:1-2 reminds us of our responsibility toward others, to remind and restore those who do carry burdens.  And then?  “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” As Christian women, and in ministry, we need to be obedient in giving Him our burdens  so we are able to help our sisters with their burdens.

Giving Up on Resolutions

February 2015.   So…how are you doing on your New Year’s resolutions?

I have always been a resolution maker…and a resolution breaker.  The word “resolution” comes from the word “resolve” which actually has something to do with finding a solution and solving a problem by deciding on a new course of action.  I want to make a resolution to solve the problems of ME… and we know THAT isn’t something that I can actually accomplish, certainly not by will power, nor permanently!

So, I moved on to “prayer goals” which are a lot like resolutions except that we bring these to God asking Him to accomplish these desires in our life.  Definitely a step in the right direction–realizing that I can’t solve the problem of ME in my own strength.

I’ve had decades to be convinced that I can’t accomplish transformation by my own mental fortitude and determination.  So maybe it is time to die–in the Biblical way.  Die to ME, die to my efforts to “self-help” and DIY.

Here is what A.W. Tozer (The Crucified Life) said:  “The crucified life is a life absolutely committed to following after Christ Jesus.  To be more like Him. To think like Him.  To act like Him.  To love like Him.  The whole essence of spiritual perfection has everything to do with Jesus Christ.  Not with rules and regulations.  Not with how we dress or what we do or do not do.  We are not to look like each other; rather, we are to look like Christ.”

Important for all of us, leaders or not!