A Shoulder to Cry On
Sometimes we can give and give and give – until we are burned out and used up. Since we are all called to minister the life of Christ, this burnout is not limited just to church personnel or leadership. We must always take the time to be filled up, or we’ll find ourselves dried up and useless. During such times - once I realize I am used up and poured out - I surrender to God! I give up to Him! I stop for a rest by pressing into His shoulder…
Philippians 3:7-14 NASB says, 7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from [the] Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which [comes] from God on the basis of faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained [it] or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of [it] yet; but one thing [I do:] forgetting what [lies] behind and reaching forward to what [lies] ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
God’s Word is very clear as to how to stay refreshed and filled with strength to keep on keeping on. Take this passage from Isaiah for instance:
Isaiah 40:28-31 NASB: 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. 29 He gives strength to the weary, And to [him who] lacks might He increases power. 30 Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, 31 Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up [with] wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.
Let us take a few minutes right now and cast our burdens and cares upon His strong and mighty and able shoulders. If you need to cry, cry. If you need to groan, then groan. If you need to simply sit still and soak in His presence, then do that. His shoulders are broad enough for all of us. Let’s lean into Him right now.
Matthew 11:28-30 NASB says, 28 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
And…
1 Peter 5:6-10 NASB says, 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8 Be of sober [spirit,] be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, firm in [your] faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. 10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen [and] establish you.
And finally, remember the words of the Psalmist David who said in Psalm 30:4-5 NASB, 4 Sing praise to the LORD, you His godly ones, And give thanks to His holy name. 5 For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy [comes] in the morning.
Let us find rest in the Lord today and be filled to overflowing with His love and power and goodness…while being ready at all times to be poured out to those in need around us…and, once emptied, fill your tank again and again with His presence. Just lean into His strong and able shoulder and find rest for your soul. His shoulders are broad enough for us all!
Dennis Jernigan
To listen to a podcast on this subject and to hear the song, A Shoulder to Cry On, go to http://podcast.dennisjernigan.com/e/a-shoulder-to-cry-on/
Picture courtesy of https://pixabay.com/photos/man-person-sitting-bench-solitary-3372762/