HEAVY LIFTING

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

^1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

There she was --finally. After a flurry of text’s and references from others; after several phone calls and distant teary exchanges our schedules finally meshed and she sat down in my office.

She was confused. She was in pain both physically and emotionally.

And as she unpacked, many of the challenges were glaring.

Injury was limiting her work. Identity issues were clouding her thinking. There were obvious family pressures, relational difficulty and practical strife. She was FLAT OUT WORN OUT.

For the longest time she had put up the front, did what she could, treaded the water, and hung on for dear life. But now exhaustion had set in and she was losing her grip.

I told her to let go. Yes, let go.

Why?

Because I knew GOD wanted her to.

Matthew 11:28

Come to me and I will give you rest—all of you who work so hard beneath a heavy yoke. Wear my yoke—for it fits perfectly—and let me teach you; for I am gentle and humble, and you shall find rest for your souls; for I give you only light burdens.

And while she was and is still a little reluctant, she at least for the time in my office did let go. I pray she will continue to let go and let GOD.

But she is not alone is she?

Life has a way of piling on each of us doesn’t it?

But we must all remember that GOD has some very very broad shoulders. And when we can’t do any more lifting, carry any more weight, put one more thing on our plate, GOD says, “Let me have it; let it go, leave it to me.”

“When you are in troubled and worried and sick at heart

And your plans are upset and your world falls apart,

Remember God's ready and waiting to share

The burden you find much too heavy to bear--

So with faith, "Let Go and Let GOD" lead your way

Into a brighter and less troubled day”

― Helen Steiner Rice

Helen is right.

GOD is waiting. GOD is ready. We need to let go.

GOD WAS waiting yesterday in my office to take the burdens and to begin to brighten. And while there were no words I could utter that could bring relief, GOD’s word showed up and did all the heavy lifting.

1 Peter 5:7

Let Him have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.

Hebrews 4:9

The promise of “arrival” and “rest” is still there for God’s people. God himself is at rest.

But I do understand completely.

Letting go seems so hard. We fear it. We wonder what will happen if we give up our grip; if we relinquish control. But we shouldn’t.

GOD is there. GOD will lighten the load. Trust HIM!

GOD will do the heavy lifting!

Psalm 55:22

Give your burdens to the Lord. He will carry them. He will not permit the godly to slip or fall.

Psalm 68:19

Blessed be the Lord—day after day he carries us along.

He’s our Savior, our God, oh yes! He’s God-for-us, He’s God-who-saves-us.

Psalm 37:5

Open up before God, keep nothing back; He’ll do whatever needs to be done:

See?

So if you are in the same boat as my reluctant client and friend this morning; weighted down to the point of breaking, don't fear. Let GO. GOD's broad shoulders are there and He can and will handle your heavy lifting!

I love you all!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney