Daily Encouragement: Joy in the End

I have to say that in my set of daily responsibilities I have started to feel a little overwhelmed by the weight of what is still left to be done over the next couple of weeks, and I was able to take some time this morning with a couple of very precious sisters, who are faithful in prayer, and lay all that weight at the foot of the cross. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light."

Now when He's talking about being weary and carrying heavy burdens, he's not just talking about work and school but also hurts and baggage from our past. It doesn't matter how big or how messy it is, our Almighty God does not want you to be carrying those around with you and He offers a trade--your overloaded suitcases full of rejection, abandonment, neglect, and abuse for His light and easy bag of acceptance, love, joy, gentleness, mercy, and grace that comes from faithful obedience. Hmmm... which would you choose? It seems like it would be a simple choice, right? But many times we don't know or forget that we even have the choice to make! And it is also a big step of faith to put the familiar suitcases down for the unknown grab-bag we are being offered.

With that in mind, here's your note of encouragement today--it comes from Hebrews 12:

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God's throne in heaven. Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don't become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin." (Hebrews 12:1-4)

Unload your weights--whatever is pulling you down--and take up His burden of love and grace and forgiveness and run the race he has marked out for you today. God is FOR YOU! And so am I!