Carrying it Alone - Day 47 Month 2-16 Week 7 Day 5

Today's Reading (Bible in 1 year)


Exodus 17,18 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2017%2C18&version=NASB1995

Isaiah 37:1-20 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2037%3A1-20&version=NASB1995

Matthew 28 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2028&version=NASB1995


Carrying it Alone


I tend to try to do things myself.  Very simply, I feel I am more efficient when I have determined how to do the next project.  This happens often when we are doing renovations, and we do a lot of renovating.  So, I get to it.  Meanwhile, Sylvia is standing there asking if she can help.  I usually say no, because I’m either almost done with that task or in the middle  of a task trying to figure something out and don’t know how she can help.  I carry all these burdens on my shoulders and then wonder why I’m burned out and stressed. 


When I do slow down and fill  Sylvia in on where my mind is on a task, she helps to remove some of the burden by “doing” something, or sometimes suggests a different way that makes the task easier .  It can slow down the project for a short time but some of the burden is gone.  It turns out to be a win-win.  In the long term, the large projects are done quicker because Sylvia is doing some of the work.  Sometimes there may be some things I need to do myself simply because I’m physically stronger, or more comfortable working at heights but many of the tasks are being done by Sylvia.  (Sigh’) Maybe some day I’ll learn this before the projects are done.


Moses is doing the same thing.


  • Moses needed to strike the rock for water - God directed him and him alone

  • Moses needed to hold his hands high to fight Amalek, He required help from Aaron and Hur - still God’s direction but a task he could share

  • Moses is judging Israel alone, morning until night.  He can’t do it all himself but he’s trying.  Jethro, I believe, is sent from God, to tell Moses - Stop It!   You can’t do this alone.  You will burn out.   


For Moses, I’m sure it was more efficient in the short term to simply make judgement but it forced Moses to carry a heavy weight.  By training others to share the load, he released some of the burden that he was carrying alone.


It’s similar in our Isaiah reading.  Sometimes sharing burdens is sharing them with God rather than people.  The footprints in sand poem by Mary Stevenson comes to mind as a great representation of taking our burdens to God.  https://www.footprints-inthe-sand.com/index.php?page=Poem/Poem.php


Hezekiah was a wise king.  All appearances were that Assyria was going to defeat Jerusalem but Hezekiah went to God, through Isaiah.  He did not carry the burden himself.


In Matthew, Jesus, after his resurrection, meets the disciples and hands the torch over to them.  He says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations….teaching them to observe all I commanded you…”  Unlike Moses, Hezekiah and myself, Jesus did not need to share the load, he could have done it himself because He’s God.  However, Jesus does not want robots, he wants a relationship.  That means people need freedom of choice to choose to be in a relationship with Him.   As a Jesus follower, my assigned task is to make disciples, not keep it to myself.  I can choose to keep my faith quiet, but then, am I really a Jesus follower?  Am I really loving God and loving my neighbour?  If you are not yet a Jesus follower, you have the freedom of choice.  The choice is yours.


Choose wisely!


Have a great day

Steve


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