Sometimes the burdens of life itself are too much to bear. Like there is no answer, no solution, no way out from under the situation or circumstances we’re in. Maybe things have gotten so bad, so impossible, that ending it all seems like the only answer. There’s this one guy in the Bible, well he put it this way, “If my misery could be weighed and my troubles be put on the scales, they would outweigh all the sands of the sea.” (Job 6:2–3a, NLT) Is that you? Do your griefs, your sorrows, your misery, and your troubles also outweigh the sands of the sea?
I’m not going to lie to you and say that I understand. Because, well, I don’t understand. I’m not living in your shoes, and you’re not living in mine. But that doesn’t mean that I can’t care. And I’m not alone. I know a whole bunch of other folks that want to care too. Some of them have been in places very much like where you’re at right now. A place of hopelessness and helplessness that seems impossible to escape from no matter how hard you try. But they aren’t there anymore so that by itself means that there must be a way. Right?
So how do you find this way out too? I don’t have a magic answer for you although what I do have may seem magical. But don’t throw it away too fast without giving it a fair hearing. First of all, you are valuable. I don’t care what you’ve done, what you look like, what is in your past, where you grew up, or anything else. You are valuable whether you know it or not. You may not think that your life has any meaning or purpose right now, but believe me, it does. I’m not just saying that to make you feel better.
That’s the whole point behind what Jesus did. Even though we turned our backs on God, He didn’t turn His back on us. What does the most famous verse in the Bible say? For God so loved the world. That’s you and me. For God so loved you. Right now God loves you so much that He sent his one and only son. Not to tell you how bad you are but to carry this burden that has you pinned to the floor. Actually, He’s already done it. It’s finished. For God so loved you that He sent his one and only Son so that everyone – that’s you too! You are an everyone. So that everyone without exception who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. You, even right now and having done nothing, are so valuable to God that He sent Jesus, His only son, to carry your sins and the burdens of life that are too much to bear to the cross.
On that day the sky turned black even though it was mid-day. As Jesus carried your burdens and sins He cried out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me!” He felt what you are feeling right now! But that’s not the end of the story. You see Jesus carried what you couldn’t. The promise is that our hearts being black and ugly… Well, there’s a verse that puts it this way, “Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18, NLT) It is impossible to make dyed wool pure white again. But what is impossible is possible with God. So you see, what is impossible for you to carry right now is possible with God.
Jesus invites us to “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 11:29–30, NLT) We, my friends and I, know that we can’t carry our burdens, griefs, troubles, challenges, circumstances, and situations either. But we know who can. It’s not magic. We don’t say magic words. We don’t do things the buy God’s favor. We don’t try to make bargains with God. All we do is reach out and grab on to God’s grace and mercy. We don’t deserve it, we can’t earn it, all we can do is receive it. God’s love for you is the only force in the world more powerful than the weight of sand over your heart right now. All you need to do is ask, nothing long or fancy, “help me Jesus” is more than enough.
I said earlier that my friends and I care about where you are at. We do. You are valuable to us even though we may have never met. We want to get to know you even if that is through an email or two. And we want to pray for you and your situation. We do care, you are valuable, and you are loved. Up in the menu, there is an item titled “May we pray for you?” That will take you to a contact form. We’d love to hear from you.
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