“Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved”. Psalm 55:22 ESV
Burt’s trainer suggested he wear a backpack during his walks to help tire him out. We were instructed to fill it with water bottles and other heavy objects so it would be more of a work out for Burt. The idea was to weigh him down and expend his energy. Trying to get the backpack on Burt without him eating it definitely expended my energy.
A popular phrase these days is “baggage”. Whether we carry a suitcase or a backpack through life; it is up to us what we carry in our luggage. Our hurts, dreams, heartaches, and everything else that has helped to shape us can be crammed in our backpack. When we shove them into the dark interior of our bag we do not deal with the situation. It is hidden in the dark and not allowed to have the light of God’s love shine upon it.
The more we carry in our backpack, the more weight we have wearing us down. Like Burt, we walk around with a heavy burden slowing us down with no energy to spare on a new day. We feel alone and weary; misunderstood and rejected.
God has not designed us to carry the weight alone. I Peter 5:7 tells us to, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you”. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus states, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light”.
Jesus does not want us weighed down by heavy burdens. We are instructed in Hebrews 12:1 to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles us so that we can run the race of life without the added burdens and anything that weighs us down. When we go to Jesus and confess our sins; when we cast our cares upon him, our burdens become lighter.
It is our goal to tire Burt out and help him expend his endless supply of energy but that is not God’s plan for our lives. He desires that we be free. Free of sin, free of burdens, free to worship him with no hindrances weighing us down. Lighten your backpack today by emptying all your cares and concerns at the feet of Jesus. He cares for you!
Just Another Dog Devotion 