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Posts Tagged ‘Matthew 11:28-30’

Shelled

Posted in Biblical, Christian, Life Experiences, tagged , , , , , on June 27, 2024| Leave a Comment »

I saw this posted on Facebook- there was no acknowledgment so I apologize to whoever captured this for not attributing it to you.

But I found it so very profound. Some people just cannot let go of their past, even if it was not great. They wear their pain as a shield to keep them from ever making a similar mistake or allowing hurt back into their lives. And yet, it burdens their journey in life and keeps them from growing.

Jesus told the crowds, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Why do we insist on carrying our burdens? Why do we allow them to identify us and shape our futures? Anger, hurt and bitterness only shackles us. True peace can only come when we “let go and let God”, as the well-quoted phrase of the 1990’s states.

Shake off your past and walk freely into a future where you can grow as a human being by growing closer and more dependent on our LORD. Our pasts don’;t have to make us chicken!

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Big Toe

Posted in Biblical, Christian, Devotional, Life Experiences, tagged , , , , , , , , on November 14, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.” Ezra 10:4

courtesy of twitter@bigtoe.

After surgery, I learned I could only put “big toe” weight on my right leg for a month. That meant my left leg, supported by a walker, had to bear the load. In order to keep me from ending up with one weak, puny leg and one buffed one, I have non-load bearing PT exercises for the right one.

Did I mention this is a huge “adjustment”?

Why only big toe weight? Our big toes are big for a reason. Our bodies use them to balance. Ever watch a ballerina “on toe”? It provides the rest of the foot leverage. Without thinking about it, you put your weight mostly on your big toe when you lift off a chair. Go ahead, try it using any other toe or your heel instead. I’ll wait…

Back now? To continue…

For now, my right side is weak. The surgery on my right pelvis needs to heal. The pins need to knit into the plates and bone. So, I must rely on my left side.  But, without the walker or crutches, I’d be catawampus and fall down a lot.

That has made me think about how much I lean on God for support, especially when I am weak. But even if I feel strong, I should still use Him as support. I need to consistently practice this unique way of walking through this journey we call life. We all do.  It feels unnatural. Most of us don’t want to lean on a crutch. We were taught to stand on our own two feet.

I’m not saying Christians should be wimpy. Actually, it takes strength of character to admit you need assistance.  The winds of change in our culture are blowing hard. We can only stand if we press into God’s Word and prayer for support, and lean on His understanding, as it says in Proverbs 3:5, fulling trusting in His strength to bolster us. In the meantime, we can strengthen our stance by practicing our faith through the life exercises we are given. But as long as we exist in this cultural environment that wants to pull us out of balance, we need our Lord for support.

Christ gives us strength when we yoke to Him. (Philippians 4:13, Matthew 11:28-30).

He is my spiritual walker, and I don’t want to let go, lest I fall.

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