Okay, let’s admit it. Life gets weightier as we grow into the responsibilities life demands. The load we pick up is part of being an adult, a spouse, a family member, a part of a community, a citizen, an employee, or employer. As we live into the very things that make life rich, we can also become encumbered with the choices we make enticed by the call of accomplishment to compromise our values. The load gets heavier with our own entanglements.
Speaking to the responsibilities of life like marriage and family, Paul in his letter to the Corinthians says this: “I want you to be without care.” Even as we take on responsibilities, Paul’s implication is that we should be unencumbered so that we can be effective followers of Jesus in the culture. “Salvation” means to be relieved of the burden of past choices (good or bad), and freed up to simplify, breathe deeply, and notice the joy as it flies.
Then, it is God's intention that we live without care and never be fretful or full of anxiety. The great news is that God invites us to trade our load-carrying single harness that is hitched to our cart of responsibilities, for a double "yoke" in sweet partnership with Jesus himself. It is our privilege, at His invitation, to continually shift the heavy stuff of life to the One with the strength. As we walk, He wants to be in partnership with us. He wants us strong, but not to show our brawn--how foolish to flex our scrawny muscles in the face of Him who holds the world in His hand—but to have no ulterior motives as we care for others.
He (how amazing is this?) longs for our presence with Him, to have us present to Him. This, then, is the partnership; He supplies the power and strength and wisdom; we supply the joy of being in His presence, the delight in this carefree journey!
This is the day that the Lord has made--and carries! I will rejoice and be glad in it! That is my reasonable service! I will play in the sun! I will be full of gratitude and joy! He will take my load, and I will enjoy His gift of freedom from heaviness.
