Are we called to care or are we called to carry? Or, is there another calling that is not rooted in caring or carrying that’s simply known as a legitimate personal responsibility? In a world where things are deemed good or bad, to include people, it’s easy to fall into the trap of doing good deeds. Good deeds become burdens we carry because we care. Are these deeds laid on our shoulders by God or are they items/ideals we accumulate in the quest for meaning, purpose and refinement in order to appear and feel good?
Anything not light is not from Christ. Anything beyond light is born of pride and human reasoning. A do-gooder attitude is contrary to His yoke.
Jesus says, “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 at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light” Matthew 11:28-30 NLT.
What does it mean to carry a heavy burden? The definition of carry, as a verb, includes to “support and move from one place to another…have on one’s person and take with one wherever one goes…be infected with and liable to transmit to others…support the weight of…assume or accept (responsibility or blame)”. Jesus says his yoke is light. Therefore, in Him, I will not carry a heavy load. But shouldn’t I carry the load of all things I care about? What does it mean to care? To care, as a noun, is the provision of what is necessary for the health, welfare, maintenance, and protection of someone or something. As a verb it refers to “feeling concern or interest…look after and provide for the needs of”.
Some of us take on responsibilities that belong to others because it seems helpful or like the “nice” or “right” thing to do. We start out excited to ‘help’, but quickly become embittered and resentful when carrying someone else’s responsibilities. Then, we blame God and wonder why He makes life so hard.
I liken this to a hiker preparing for a long, arduous trail, which is led by a professional guide. The guide has done this hike many times and gives instructions on how to train, plan, and pack for it. He says, “bring a pack of food and water and protection from the rain and sun no heavier than fifteen pounds”. “Fifteen pounds?!” replies the hiker. “That’s not enough”. So, the hiker puts extra food and water and supplies in the pack ‘just in case’ and thinks “I will have extra to share as well”. The hiker sets out on the steep trail with the group and about a third of the way in he wants to quit. The 55 pound pack has changed the entire experience. It feels impossible. The hiker realizes there’s food provided along the trail and pure fresh water streams to refill the bottles. He now has to make a choice to either continue by lightening the pack and removing 40 pounds of weight, or quit and turn back.
Perhaps the hiker is too proud or embarrassed to admit his lack of trust and to follow instructions. Or, maybe he will humble himself, lighten his load, and share his adventure, and experience with the group by moving onward to the finish.
What is in your pack? Is it heavy? Unpack it. Assess it. What seems good, but is actually sapping your joy and strength? What are you carrying in false guilt and thinking you “should” be carrying it. What is in there that’s someone else’s responsibility? Lighten the load. Anything not light is not from Christ. Anything beyond light is born of pride and human reasoning. A do-gooder attitude is contrary to His yoke. Only God is good. Our deeds are not good and should be born of obedience not in an attempt to be good.
In a world of doing we are called to being. Be a light. Be obedient. Be responsible. Carry a light load. Be free. There’s nothing we can do to be these things. We can only receive the truth and live free as a result. Today is a good day to decide trusting God and His provision is far better than carrying loads He didn’t give us.