Lay It Down

                                     Hebrews 12:1 

                                               Let us lay aside every weight,

                                       and the sin which so easily ensnares us, 

                           and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. 

There is much we could say about this Scripture. We could discuss sin, how it threatens to steal our peace, our testimony, discouraging us as we walk in the love and grace of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Or we could confer about what it means to run the race with endurance, with persistence and resolution. However, what piqued my interest was the laying aside of every weight. 

When I think of a weight, I immediately think of something heavy, hard to carry. We all know what it is like to lay awake at night, overwhelmed with worry or grief, concerned about what the future holds for us, or a loved one. This is a weight, something heavy to carry as we face another day. We can have a hard time accepting the forgiveness of Christ; continue to carry around the guilt and shame of our past. This is a weight. It tears us down and wears us out, our peace is gone, and the joy of the Lord escapes us as we try to rise above the nagging in our soul. What is it in your life that you feel you must carry around, refusing to lay it down at the feet of Jesus? Jesus says lay it down, give it to Him. He can carry whatever it is that keeps us from living the life He died on the cross to give us. 

                          "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, 

                            and I will give you rest.

                            Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, 

                            for I am gentle and lowly in heart,                                      

                            and you will find rest for your souls. 

                            For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light."

                                                                                 Matthew 11:28-30 

Jesus did not die on the cross so that we would continue to walk in defeat. He brought us to Himself, forgiving our past, willing to carry our burdens, so that we might live in freedom. There are no magic formulas or correct words that make it possible to lay down our weight. Laying down our weight only comes when we decide once and for all to be obedient to the Word of God, casting all our cares on Hm. 

                           Cast your burden on the LORD,

                           And He shall sustain you;

                           He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. 

                                                                                 Psalm 55:22

                        This devotional was taken from my newly released Daily Devotional,

                               "Living in the Vineyard,"  Listening for the Voice of God

                                             Available on Amazon.com or by emailing

                                       me at 452eagleswings@gmail.com.  Cost $20.00

                                                           Also available as an ebook