In our house we have what I call the “care bucket. It’s where we offload all the worries, cares, disappointments and hurts that happen as part of living life. The “care bucket comes out regularly. Actually sometimes it’s not a bucket but rather one of those industrial roadside “skip bins” that is required, but that’s okay because it’s better to offload our cares than to let them fester in our hearts and minds.
God doesn’t want us to carry loads and regularly says things like “Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis.” (Matt 11:28). “Cast all your cares and anxiety upon him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
God asks us to cast our burdens on Him because he knows how toxic cares and worries can become in our life and how energy sapping and debilitating they can end up being to our whole way of life. He wants us to be able to live in peace and to know His joy even in the midst of challenges, but we do have to allow Him to help.
Today I encourage you to offload your cares onto Jesus and to use the “care bucket. He loves and cares for you and wants to carry your load so you don’t have to.
“Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Simply join your life with mine.Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me. For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
In our family we think there is pretty much a song for every occasion. This song called “Lay it down” by Will Reagan says it all.
Bring your worry, grief and pain Every cause you have for shame lay it all down, lay it all down When your cares have buried you and there’s nothing left to do lay it all down lay it all down at the feet of jesus, at the feet of jesus
Carried on but your heart was tired Feared the worst and felt the fire lay it all down, lay it all down Filled with all those anxious thoughts all your doubts became your god lay it all down, lay it all down at the feet of jesus, at the feet of jesus
Lay it all down Lay it all down Lay it all down Lay it all down
at the feet of Jesus at the feet of Jesus
When we’ve given up on better days there are memories we can’t erase lay it all down, lay it all down We’ve come to fear what we can’t explain there’s nothing here that can ease the pain lay it all down, lay it all down at the feet of Jesus, at the feet of Jesus