The Things We Carry

As seen in the HEARTbeat and the Village Voice

“The Things We Carry”

            We go through life carrying many things, both figuratively and literally.  Some are physical loads, like carrying lumber, while others are emotional loads like the scars from a failed relationship.  I don’t think there is a single individual in this world, no matter their age, who isn’t carrying some type of load.

            When my father retired from the military, I was in my teens.  He purchased a half-city block that was completely overgrown and sat next to an old open-pit rock quarry.  For the next couple of years, my next younger brother and I pushed wheelbarrow load after wheelbarrow load of rocks off of the property and dumped them into the old quarry.  You should have seen us.  On the heavy loads, my brother would get on one handle and I would get on the other and we would try to “team” push the wheelbarrow.  At first, we would get frustrated as we tried to synchronize our steps and failed, to which the rock load would fall over.  After a while it became comical.  But eventually we made a good team and became efficient rock haulers!

            Teamwork can be essential, if not necessary when carrying loads.  I’m reminded of the extremely heavy body armor soldiers wear in combat zones.  With the front and back plates, the two side plates, the collar and lower pad, the full set weighs around 50 pounds.  Some of the big guys would just throw it over their shoulders and don the equipment with ease.  But the smaller soldiers had a rough time of it.  It took teamwork to put on the protective equipment, which may have also been weighed down with an additional 20-25 pounds of ammunition!  My “Battle Buddy” was a person I relied on a great deal, as he did with me.  Truly we made a good team.

            No matter what load you are carrying through this life, there is relief.  Jesus’ words are recorded in Matthew 11:28-30: “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 is light.”  There is relief from the burdens we carry, no matter what they are.  Jesus is ready to take them off of you.

            So, that may bring up another question, “Does Jesus just take the load off of us and there is no more load?”  Absolutely not.  This world wants to try and drag us down every day.  But Jesus never leaves us and is ready to give His all for us.  John 15:13 is a verse every combat soldier has heard, and every Christian needs to be reminded of: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” 

            Jesus is our “Battle Buddy” through this life.  He came into this world and through love freely laid down His life for us.  So, I ask you again, what burdens are you carrying?  No matter what they are, Jesus has already paid the price so that you may be free of them.  He bought them with His life, so give them to Him!