Heavy Load
“The load is far too heavy!” Numbers 11:14
I get it.
The urge to roll your eyes at every “2020 Vision” post you see. The wondering of what you did to deserve to start your year off still battling a season you thought God would’ve brought you through by now.
I get it.
To everyone who entered 2020 with a little less enthusiasm than most, I’m here to remind you that you are not alone. Listen, I, too, walked into January 1st dealing with the same trials I had on Dec. 31st. I was still stuck in a season filled with unfamiliarity and discomfort. I was (and am) still in limbo and transition in my professional life. I was still learning to deal with the same pain. And similar to Moses in Numbers 11, I still felt like I was carrying the burdens of many.
Despite that, here’s what I do know…Despite what’s going on in my world externally, I will not allow it to steal the joy that I’m experiencing internally. I have decided to pray, ANYWAY. I have decided to worship, ANYWAY. I have decided to thank God for the things this world has no bearing on – my peace, my joy, my perspective, my gratitude.
Recently, I listened to a sermon by Pastor Mike Todd entitled, “History in the Making.” He talked about the power of remembrance. So, when I find myself getting discouraged about my current situation, my current trials, my current disappoints, my current failures…I find joy in remembering that I’m nowhere near where I started. I find joy remembering how God provided for me every time I was down to my last. I find joy remembering the moments I prayed for the things I currently possess (both tangible and intangible). I find joy remembering past battles that God gave me victory over. I find joy remembering that He can do it again.
“The load is far too heavy!” This is what Moses cried out to the Lord, while questioning Him about why he had to carry the burden of the people of Israel. Moses overheard the people complaining about the manna and reminiscing about Egypt and he got frustrated and said things to the Lord like,
“Why are you treating me, your servant, so harshly?”
“I can’t carry all these people by myself! The load is far too heavy!” He even goes as far as to say, “If this is how you intend to treat me, just go ahead and kill me. Do me a favor and spare me the misery.”
And in this moment of despair, the Lord did not punish Moses for his honesty or condemn him for his wavering faith. The Lord provided Moses with exactly what he needed. (Numbers 11:16-17) He can and will do the same for you. So, if nothing else, you can put down your load and rejoice over that.
May the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses. -Joshua 17:17