"He Removed It"

By Pastor Jeannette Parrott

There was a weight that I had always carried because I thought it was my responsibility. 

I had grown accustomed to it. It remained heavy . It was quite heavy but after so many years of perfecting how to juggle it and still live, I didn't notice it as much.

My mind set was this is "mine" to carry. I certainly don't expect someone else to carry it. It's the way life is and adults are expected to carry their own weight.

Even after meeting Jesus and walking with Him many, many years, I still bore the weight of life because that's what mature adults do, "they carry their own weight". They do their part and you don't expect someone else to do for you what you know to do.

Then there was this scripture: Matthew 11:28-30 KJV “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” 

So, one day, I can't tell you exactly when, my life became easier. I mean noticeably different. There weren't any bombs bursting in air or 🚀 rockets red glare. But literally the "weight" I had carried and had always assumed it was mine to bear was gone!!

I was and am living life. But when issues arise and problems come, I ask God about it. He gets involved and I get to rest.

Mind you, I don't have this process down pat yet because I am just recently entering this part of the promised land of freedom. I lived in the land of bondage and slavery a lot longer than I have resided as a "free man". So, bear with me as I try to put in words something I have just recently come to know.

So, I am going through a trial. I feel the old familiar weight and struggle which I recognize. But this time I am actively listening and consulting God for His wisdom and direction. Then suddenly but subtly I realize the weight, the heaviness is gone.

 "He Has Removed It"

The scripture I quoted earlier gives us the prescription to follow that will cure what ails us: "Come unto me".. don't miss that... So I go to Him with the issue. 

"All ye that labor and are heavy burdened"...I come to Him WITH my heavy burden in tow...

I take His "Yoke Upon Me"...here the Great Exchange... He takes what I have been carrying...I take His Yoke and His burden...but I immediately am aware of the weight difference because I am no longer bowed over...I am walking upright and although the trial is still going on... I'm walking around free in my mind and my spirit no longer feeling the weight of that familiar responsibility that I thought was mine to carry. 

Well, this is a land, a literal place of freedom to dwell and abide in that I am experiencing now. A land unfamiliar to me but is flowing with milk and honey.

Excuse me as I go off to explore and experience things I have only dreamed of or heard about but are "now mine" to enjoy? Really? Lord, this is real? The place you prepared for me long ago to enjoy!  This place has fruit? 🍇 Grapes so big it takes 2 men to carry the clusters? This I need to explore! This place Lord, you prepared just for me, intentionally and on purpose with me in mind?!

More to Come...