Hand Over Your Burdens!

“Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.”
Acts 3:8 (NRSV)

Throughout our lives we take many, many journeys. Obviously some are easier than others. Some by their very nature are very difficult, stony and wearisome for us; they drain us of our human resources and the ability to focus on the way ahead and, most importantly, on the end of that particular road.

All roads have an end. All journeys will eventually come to their final destination, whether that is a happy place or a sad place.

The ‘road to recovery’ is a journey where we are in some way forced to look ahead, to evaluate every little bit of progress that has been made towards full recovery. This can mean learning to walk again, training ourselves to hold a pen and write again, or to recover the ability to speak clearly and communicate all over again. This of course takes effort but unfortunately this effort drains us physically, mentally and emotionally.

At times like this we cannot afford to lose sight of God’s healing touch or the encouraging words of Jesus. These words are as reassuring today as they were when spoken in the first century: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) It is just so reassuring that ‘Someone’ who has promised to journey with us is continually saying let me carry that rucksack, give me your fears, worries and frustrations. You don’t need to bear that load any longer! Put your life in my hands, I understand what you need. I have experienced the flesh and know its limitations! This is indeed an offer that we can’t afford to refuse.

Because, whatever our circumstances, our walk with God is always a journey towards healing and wholeness or, the road to recovery, whether that is physical or spiritual. Then once we have handed all of our load to him, we too will be just like the man mentioned in the header scripture above—walking, leaping and praising God!

Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for the gracious offer to carry our burdens, whatever they may be. Help us to trust you and to realise that your overwhelming desire for us is that we might be free from everything that hinders us in our service to you and others.
Amen

Study by Cliff Neill

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About the Author:
Cliff Neill is an Elder in Grace Communion Church Luton.

Local Congregation:
Grace Communion Church Luton
Farley Hill Methodist Church
North Drift Way
Farley Hill
LUTON LU1 5JE

Meeting Time:
Saturday 10:30am

Local Congregational Contact:
Harry Sullivan
Phone: 01908-582222
Email: harry_sullivan@wcg.org.uk