The scene in the airport was nothing out of the ordinary. People, people, everywhere. People rushing, sitting, eating, checking, sweating, dozing, paying, riding, smiling, texting, scowling, chatting, praying, cussing, waving, dodging… and then flying.
She was traveling with her husband. Although not as young as she used to be, she could hold her own. With a heavy backpack carry-on and a purse filled to capacity, she was still able to navigate pulling her suitcase, dodging oncoming people. However, her steps were many as she struggled to keep up with her other half. Sweat began to bead on her forehead. How far can it be to that terminal? Shoulders aching and starting to feel lightheaded, she saw him turn to check on her. He mouthed to her… “You OK?” She smiled as much as she could muster and nodded, whispering back… “I’m fine.”
Then she saw the stairs ahead. Are you kidding me? Fighting back tears she pushed on. “Just keep going. Your plane leaves soon. You can do this.” Her backpack shoulder burned with exhaustion. Without there being time to eat, hunger had set in and she started to feel disoriented. She’d lost sight of her man in the crowd. Everything started to close in on her, and vision blurred. “I need to sit. I can’t do this. I’m not going to make it.”
All of a sudden she felt the weight lifted off her shoulder. A strong hand had reached out and taken the backpack. There was the love of her life at her side. He’d seen the look on her face, the face that he knew so well. He knew that it was too much for her, and that he could carry it. “I got it,” he said quietly, and put it easily up over his shoulder.
As the stairs came closer, he understood without asking the fear in her heart. He knew the limits of her strength and that the suitcase was too heavy for her to carry. With love in his eyes, he said softly, “Let me carry it.” Lifting the suitcases and backpacks, he carried them down the stairs.
She then followed him down the stairs easily, holding onto the handrail…. and they continued their journey together.
Thousands of years ago…. in a land, far, far away. .. in a country called Egypt… there was a group of people known as the Israelites. Their population was increasing in numbers and strength everyday. The Egyptians were getting nervous… so they worked the Israelites to the bone. Ruthlessly. They were forced to carry insanely heavy loads of brick and mortar.
But God knew. He was working behind the scenes. Watching. He saw their exhaustion and the sweat on their brow.
At just the perfect moment, He stepped forward…. and lifted their burden.
The psalm-writer of Psalm 81 was remembering this story as he wrote… Speaking of God he penned, “I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket.” (verse 6)
Beautiful, Beautiful Burden-Bearer…..
For reasons that I will never fully understand, God has called me to watch those near and dear to me go through deep pain. Often I am asked, “How are you doing?”… or “How are you handling it?” Thank you… each one of you… for asking. I hold you all dear to my heart.
Most days, the Lord gives me the strength to walk through it, holding my hand as He promised. He parts the waters… He refreshes me with water out of a rock… He pulls close to me in the fire… He hides me in the cleft of a rock… He whispers His promises in a still, small voice… He carries me close to His heart. He reminds me to “cast my cares” on Him (Psalm 55:22)…. and that He “daily bears our burdens.” (Psalm 68:19)
However… when the pain is too excruciating for my heart… when I’ve lost sight of Him and the room is swirling… When my next breath won’t seem to come…. He reaches down and lifts the burden off of my weary shoulder… and carries it for me.
What about the burden you’re struggling under right now? Are you clenching your teeth and trying to tell God and everyone, “I’m OK”? Are you determined to make it through on your own strength, while your shoulder is screaming from the weight of it all? Have you lost sight of Him in the crowd and you’re feeling completely alone? Have you felt like you actually could reach your goal, but you just turned a corner, and saw insurmountable “stairs” ahead?
He sees you. He’s right at your side. Take your white knuckled hand off of your burden… and let Him carry it for you. He knows you so well…. and wants to be your Burden Bearer. His strength is like no other.
Then continue your journey together…..
…. and thanks, my sweet Dan, for being there for me in the airport. I love you….
“Sweet Burden Bearer…. You see me right now. You know everything that I’m carrying, and it’s so heavy. At times, the pain is unbearable. There are moments where I can’t see You…. but I know that You’re there. There are days ahead that are going to be insurmountable and I’m afraid that I won’t make it through. Lord, I now release my hold… and ask you to lift the burden. Thank You, Jesus. I love you…. In Your Name…..”