Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Family Connection 08.09.2011

Family Connection

08.09.2011

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden in light.”-Matthew 11:28-30
When my boys were younger and they wanted to help me with projects around the house my motto was “Half the work in twice the time.” I loved having them help me so I could teach them how to do things, and I loved just being with them, but I really didn’t expect them to be able to do too much; after all they were just little boys. I would also love watching them help their Mom take out the groceries from the car when they would get home. They wanted to help but often the bags they were trying to lift were a bit too much for them. Either Jen or I would grab one handle of the bag and take most of the weight so they could feel like they were helping when we were really bearing the burden for them. They thought they could more than they could; but Jen and I knew better.
There have been many times in my life when I realize I am trying to lift a burden that is just too tough for me. As a pastor, I hurt along with the people who submit prayer requests each week or the children whose parents are going through a divorce or with the couples who are struggling in their marriages. I hurt for them, I do my best to walk alongside them but I realize I cannot carry their burdens for them; that is something only Jesus can do.
What about you? What burdens are you trying to carry that you have no business carrying by yourself? What things does Jesus want you to lay down at His feet? What are you doing about that? If we cannot learn how to give our burdens to Jesus, we will constantly be bogged down with things that don’t belong to us and will be ineffective in our walk with Christ.
How open are you with the children in your lives? Do you share with them your struggles as you strive to follow Jesus? I would encourage you to do so. As followers of Jesus Christ, we make daily decisions on whether or not we will follow Him. Sometimes those decisions are easier than others but they are always opportunities for us to teach the children in our lives how to follow Jesus. Instead of trying to carry the burdens by yourself, talk to the children in your lives and ask them to pray for you. You don’t need to be too specific with them if there are issues they won’t understand but you can model laying burdens down for them when you ask them to pray for you. The great news is that Jesus can, and wants to handle your burdens; won’t you let Him?
Walking by your side,
Brett Humphrey
Pastor H