My favorite time to run is the morning. Not because it’s the easiest time of day to run for me. (It’s not; I wake up stiff and have to limber up like every other mortal out there.)
I like running early, because the day is fresh and the sun is just starting to peek through the morning mist. In nature, I always feel closer to God, because I see His Hand everywhere.
Usually, it’s just God and I time. The other day, I turned a corner and saw two young boys, struggling together over something they were carrying. As I jogged closer, the object developed legs, a tail and a confused face. The poor dog was the middle of a tug-of-war carrying competition.
Although the dog was perfectly capable of walking on its own, the boys were fighting over who would carry it – or most of it. And so, the struggle continued until one of the boys won the prize of carrying the poor pooch the rest of the way on his own.
The boy staggered under the weight and teetered on his way behind his friend.
As I jogged past them, the thought struck me: How often am I like those boys – trying to carry a load I was never intended to carry? Maybe you’re like them too.
When we try to do life on our own, we only cause problems for ourselves and make our circumstances harder to bear than they need to be.
Don’t carry unnecessary burdens into the New Year. The ones we stubbornly grip, refusing to let go, only weigh us down and wear us out. Instead, lay them down at the feet of the One who encourages us to cast our cares on Him, because He cares for us (I Peter 5:7).
Will we still have burdens in life? Yes. But we can rest and take comfort knowing we never have to carry them alone.
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. (Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV)
Wishing you a blessed New Year!
~ Kristen
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