«Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens» (Psalm 68:19, NM).
One Friday evening the whistle was about to blow calling us to our first formation. We were camping with our Pathfinder Club and, my cousin and I were working together as chaplains. We had lovingly planned everything during the week and now it was time to carry it out. We had four bags with programs, envelopes, book marks and candy for all 120 campers. She had stepped outside the tent and now it was my turn to go out, with all the bags and my Bible.
I had to turn the zipper to close the tent, but it was hard for me because my hands were full. However, in my stubbornness, I was determined not to let go of the bags and to do everything alone.
Mikaela patiently asked if she could help me. I told her no. But my failure was evident and she insisted, ”Come on, Carol, can I carry something?” Then I gave in and told her, ”Alright. What should I give you?” Her answer gave me the slap in the face I needed. ”Everything.”
It was so simple! I handed her everything and successfully closed the tent. We set off running and made it to formation. God reminded me a new Sabbath was beginning in which He also wanted to ease me from all my burdens and, for that to happen, total surrender was necessary.
That whole weekend I saw how, without fear or shame, Pathfinders asked their counselors or directors to carry their coats, Bibles or even emotional burdens when something frustrated them or made them mad.
It’s interesting that, just after this statement, Jesus invites us to go to Him when we’re tired and burdened.
Jesus wants to teach us a way of doing things that’s much better. He wants to remind us of the importance of depending on Him. The exchange He offers us is the most unequal and undeserved one, but also the most loving one, always in our favor.
How many “bags” does He want to help us with today?
All of them.
Let’s accept His help and the help He often provides for us through Other people. Let’s sign a declaration of dependence on Him.
