When Life Feels Heavy
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Photo by Drew Coffman on Unsplash
During one of my recent Advent readings, I read Isaiah 9:4, where, speaking of Jesus, Isaiah said, “For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders” (NLT).
This assurance that our burdens will be lifted jumped out at me and brought a surge of comfort, but what stood out to me even more is what Jesus does with our burdens.
Two verses down, we find Isaiah’s beautiful prophecy foretelling the coming of Christ: “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (NLT).
First, in verse four, we’re told that Jesus will “lift the heavy burden from their shoulders [italics added].”
Then, in verse six, we’re told that “the government will be on His shoulders [italics added].”
Jesus lifts the heavy burdens from our shoulders. And what does He do with them?
He places them on His own shoulders.
THE BURDEN OF RESPONSIBILITY
Now, you might be thinking, It doesn’t say He puts our burdens on His shoulders. It says the government will be on His shoulders.
This is true.
But as I was thinking about what it means to rule or govern, the word “responsibility” came to mind. Governing or ruling requires taking responsibility, such as for making decisions and providing for certain needs.
In fact, “responsibility” is actually how the New English Translation (NET) translates the word government. Where the New Living Translations says “the government will be on His shoulders,” the NET says, “He shoulders responsibility.”
So Jesus taking government upon His shoulder can be thought of as Him taking responsibility on His shoulders. And I don’t think it’s stretching things too far to equate responsibilities with burdens.
I believe the responsibilities He shoulders are, at least in part, the burdens He lifts from our shoulders. You and I may not be governing in the political sense, but we do govern our lives. We take responsibility for making decisions about our health, our careers, our callings, and our relationships. We take responsibility for providing for the needs of our loved ones. And, if we’re honest, I think these responsibilities can often feel like heavy burdens.
LET JESUS CARRY YOUR BURDENS
But if we let Him, Jesus will govern our lives. He will take responsibility for us. He’ll carry the weight of all that living on Earth requires of us.
Of course, I’m not saying we have no responsibility at all and that we should just lounge around in our pajamas all day, eating doughnuts and watching Netflix (although doing that every once in a while is certainly fine—we need to take a break sometimes!). We still have to steward and manage what we’ve been given. But we do it with God's help. We do it with the understanding that it’s not all up to us. That, ultimately, it’s not by our might or by our own power, but by God’s Spirit that His plans for us are accomplished (Zechariah 4:6).
Is there something weighing on you today? If so, remember there is no need that is too big for God. There’s no financial problem He can’t provide for. There is no decision that He can’t guide you through. There’s no question about your purpose or calling that He doesn’t have an answer to. Let Jesus lift your burdens. There is nothing too heavy for His shoulders.
You are in my thoughts and prayers, and I’d love to hear from you. Just hit reply!
In purpose and faith,
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