Unload

There’s a story about a man in the Philippines who was driving of a wagon pulled by two carabao.  He was on his way to the market when he overtook an old man carrying a heavy load on his back.  Having compassion on him, the driver invited the old man to ride in the wagon. Gratefully the old man accepted.  After a few minutes, the driver turned to see how the old man was doing. To his surprise, he found him still straining under the heavy load.  He had not taken the burden off his shoulders.

There a similarity between this elderly man and me…maybe you too.  Jesus tells people,

“Come to Me, all you 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.” (Mt 11:28-30)

I have heard Jesus’ invitation and I’ve come to Him. I believe in him.  I love him.  But I often hold onto things that keep me from experiencing the rest that He offers.  And like that old man, I’ve crawled on the wagon but haven’t unloaded what I’m carrying.  David wrote,

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” (Ps 55:22)

The word “cast” literally means “to roll.”  The idea is to unload whatever burdens we have over to the Lord.  And while we do this, God takes care of us so we can rest.