Continued from An Overloaded Wagon Part 1
The wagon felt huge and awkward as it lumbered and swayed over the ruts in the road. Frustrated, the man was beginning to have visions of giving up and letting the wagon roll backward. God was playing a cruel game with him. The wagon lurched, and the load of obligations collided with the back of his legs, leaving bruises. “This is it!” he fumed. “God can’t expect me to haul this all the way up the mountain.”
“Oh God,” he wailed. “This is too hard for me! I thought you were behind this trip, but I am overcome by the heaviness of it. You’ll have to get someone else to do it. I’m just not strong enough.”
As he prayed, God came to his side. “Sounds like you’re having a hard time. What’s the problem?”
“You gave me a job that is too hard for me,” the man sobbed. “I’m just not up to it!” God walked over to where the wagon was braced with a stone. “What is this?” He held up the bag of pebbles.
“That belongs to John, my good friend. He didn’t have time to bring it up himself. I thought I would help.”
“And this?” God tumbled two pieces of shale over the side of the wagon as the man tried to explain.
God continued to unload the wagon, removing both light and heavy items. They dropped to the ground, the dust swirling up around them. The man who had hoped to help God grew silent. “If you will be content to let others take their own burdens,” God told him, “I will leave these things lying here.”
“But I promised I would help! I can’t leave these things lying here.”
“Let others shoulder their own belongings,” God said gently. “I know you were trying to help, but when you are weighted down with all these cares, you cannot do what I have asked of you.”
The man jumped to his feet, suddenly realizing the freedom God was offering. “You mean I only have to take the three stones after all?” he asked.
“That is what I asked you to do.” God smiled. “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light. I will never ask you to carry more than you can bear.”
“I can do that!” said the man, grinning from ear to ear. He grabbed the wagon handle and set off once again, leaving the rest of the burdens beside the road. The wagon still lurched and jolted lightly, but he hardly noticed.
A new song filled his lips, and he noticed a fragrant breeze wafting over the path. With great joy, he reached the top of the hill. It had been a wonderful day, for he had done what the Lord had asked.
This is very humbling. Can you believe I still think it would be very difficult to tell the friends along the way that I could not help with their burdens?
Thank you so much. This is definately something to ponder and pray over.
Theda,
No I feel the same way about not helping. It is very hard, but one thing I have learned is that we aren’t meant to carry all the ones that come across our path. But I think it is really hard to determine which ones to add and which ones to pass on.
I really needed this today. I was feeling guilty about not helping someone who was really in need of help but my heart told me no they need to learn on their own. I also think me telling that friend no is helping me become a stronger person on the inside for bigger things down the road.
Thanks for sharing this-it is a message I needed today as well. We all do get overloaded from time to time and this is a reminder to keep our perspectives straight and learn what things God does want us to do and which ones he doesn’t. It is hard sometimes but this helps out a bunch. You have a wonderful ministry and I so appreciate it.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I, too, find myself carrying others’ burdens. This really helps to put things in perspective. Thanks again!
Thank you! This is what I needed to hear. Too often I have listened to the sheep and not the Shepherd. Blessings to you for this.