The Broad Shoulders of God

Ever feel like Atlas… the guy doomed to carry the world on his massive shoulders? Actually, modern culture has given him a lighter load… originally he was sentenced to carry the cosmos, keeping it and the world from colliding.

Whew. What a job.

We associate ourselves with Atlas when things in our lives pile up, weigh us down, exasperate us, overwhelm us, send us over the edge of sanity. We say that we have the weight of the world on our shoulders. When that’s the case, people can tell.

And when something good happens, a stress reliever, we say that we feel like the weight of the world has been lifted from our shoulders. That, also, is noticeable in countenance, posture, expressions, reactions, etc.

The thing is, we were not created to be Atlas or to shoulder such a heavy burden.

In fact, attempting to do so means getting crushed.

Solution?

Well, I try to pray. Sometimes the pressure is so intense, though, I don’t feel like doing that. And sometimes I worry myself into a corner where I have no way out – an impossible situation.

Silly me. All I need to do is turn around and see the possibilities.

Nothing is impossible for God. (Matt. 19:26)

We should cast our cares on Him for He cares for us. (1 Peter 5:7)

Jesus invited us to switch burdens with Him – He called our burdens that He’d take on a yoke, a massive piece of heavy wood that rests on the shoulders of a beast of burden. How much more a servant can someone get? (Matt. 11:30, Ps. 68:19, Luke 11:46)

God’s shoulders are broad. He can handle every single terrifying worry that crosses our path, no matter what it is.

Money

Relationships

Health

Work

Dreams and Desires

I forget that. I can’t believe myself, but all the time, I forget that God really is tuned into my life, that He sees, He knows, He cares, He leads, He guides, He opens doors, He comforts, He solves, He wins…

So, whenever I start feeling like poor ‘ole Atlas, I think instead of the real, live Creator of the Universe Who bears my burdens on His able, broad shoulders.

Have a wonderful week, Dry Ground friends!

(photos by photobucket.com)