Sarah Kerr writes...

This past summer, I worked at Decision Hills United Methodist Camp. Before any of the campers come, Decision Hills and the other 5 conference camps get together for a week of staff training. This time is with filled with workshops and seminars for us to attend so we can become better prepared and equipped as camp counselors. At the end of this week together we have a special staff worship. The theme this year focused on Matthew 11:28-30. We each were given a huge backpack filled with heavy rocks. I could barely lift it up over my shoulders. With this huge pack of rocks, we were to take the long journey from the campfire ring up to meditation hill. I remember how painful it was and how slow I had to climb that hill to prevent myself from falling over because of the weight I was carrying. I spent so much of that journey wishing I didn’t have to do it, but then God spoke to my heart and reminded me of the pain and anguish he had to go through as he carried His own cross. I remember thinking to myself, how often do I try to carry my own cross? How often do I feel weighed down by the things in this life? How often is it that I carry unnecessary baggage around? God really humbled me through this experience so I want to share with you the reflection sheet that came along with this exercise.

The Journey you just took was meant to illustrate how hard life is when you carry around a lot of extra baggage. Every grudge, every mistake you hold on to, everything you should have done but did not, every sin weighs us down. The good news is we can off load our “packs.” Jesus will carry them for us. In fact he just gets rid of the weight, the fear, the burden, the stress all together. As you go through your life, don’t use energy carrying around a lot of extra stuff. Deal with it, give it over to Jesus and be done with it.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. I’ll show you how to work with me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)

Father God,
Too often we get overwhelmed with the things in this life. Too often we take on more than we can handle. Help us to have courage and strength to come to you with our heavy burdens, instead of trying to carry them by our own power. Remind us that your load is light and it is all that we need. Amen.