Weight of the World

     As I watched a show on television tonight a woman was competing for a cause dear to her heart. She had gone to some extreme measures to bring her agenda to the notice of the judges. When one judge delivered the news she had been cut from the competition, the woman began to cry. The judge noted that it's a heavy responsibility to "carry the weight of the world" on her shoulders. The woman had made that comment earlier that she couldn't bear losing and letting people down as she "had the weight of the world" on her shoulders.
     This scene was poignant to me as I sometimes fear letting people down and even letting God down. I have a friend that is always reminding me of the grace that comes from living in Christ and although my head knows what she's saying, my heart feels burdened for the world. It occurred to me tonight as I saw this woman who had sacrificed a lot for her beliefs, appear to be weighed down by the very purpose that she was living for, that God would not have me live this way. Jesus Christ, God's Son, had the "weight of the world" in the form of the sins of the world put on His shoulders, to bear the burdens that I and others caused Him, through our sin, on the cross. His sacrifice was to free me and you from the burdens of this world and give us a direct pathway to heaven and to be free of eternal condemnation.
     Thank you Jesus that I don't need to feel heavy laden. I can live life with joy and gratitude for what you have done and know there is nothing I need to do, except to accept You as my Savior and Lord. Amen!

Hibiscus blooming this evening in our yard. Simply beautiful, by God's design alone.
^{Matthew 11:28} Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.