This week I am sharing the story behind my song,”A Shoulder to Cry On," featured in my live worship album, "I Will Trust You," birthed on October 2, 1992. Sometimes, we pour out every ounce of ourselves until we're drained and weary. This burnout isn't exclusive to church leaders; it's a risk for all who carry the life of Christ within. It's crucial to pause, refill our cups, or we'll wither away into ineffectiveness.
This song arrived at a moment when I had emptied myself completely the day before, realizing I had nothing more to offer amidst the urgent needs around me. I honestly needed a shoulder to cry on. All I could do was surrender to God. In those moments, my heart could only whisper, "Thank you, Holy Spirit, for always being there for me."
Philippians 3:7-14 NASB 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 provides a clear roadmap on how to stay refreshed and fortified to press onward. Let's dive into this passage from Isaiah for some divine wisdom:
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.
The Message Bible says it this way in Matthew 11:28-30:
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
And get this from wisdom from 1 Peter 5:6-10 NIV:
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
Psalm 30:4-5 The Message says:
All you saints!
Sing your hearts out to God!
Thank him to his face!
He gets angry once in a while, but across a lifetime there is only love.
The nights of crying your eyes out give way to days of laughter.
If you're running on empty, feeling drained, or on the brink of surrender, here's the plan. Let's seek solace in the Lord today, allowing His love, strength, and grace to fill us to the brim. And while we're at it, let's stay primed to pour out that overflow to those around us in need. And when our reserves are depleted, refill your tank with His presence, over and over again.
Let's pause for a moment as we immerse ourselves in this song, allowing us to release our burdens and worries onto His sturdy and capable shoulders. If tears need to flow, let them. If a sigh of relief is in order, go ahead and release it. And if all you need is to bask in His presence, then simply be still. His shoulders are wide enough to carry every weight we bear. Let's lean into Him at this very moment.
Dennis Jernigan
To hear The Dennis Jernigan Podcast version of this blog and to hear the song, go to https://www.patreon.com/posts/shoulder-to-cry-121407237
Photo courtesy of https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2017/08/01/01/40/people-2562694_1280.jpg