I relieved your shoulder of the burden; your hands were freed from the basket.
Psalms 81:6 (ESV)
Father God, my soul looks to You, the One Who set me free, Who removed the burdens that I still keep trying to pick up. You challenged me to cast my cares upon You for You care for me (1 Peter 5:7). You told me to seek You first (Matthew 6:33). You invited me to take upon my shoulders Your yoke (Matthew 11:28-30). I confess, I still am quickly consumed with my stuff. Like that cartoon dog, my attention is quickly captured by the going ons around me, with my mind yelping, “Squirrel!”
Yet, today my soul is in tuned with Your admonition regarding my new condition in Christ. You have relieved my shoulder of the burdens that I have been carrying. You have freed my hands from the weights I have been lugging around. The challenge for me is to walk in that freedom, to cross the threshold into the newness of life and close the door on the bondage that so easily besets me.
Today, I look to You. I will do an inventory on all the things that I choose to carry today. I will ask myself the tough question: is this Kingdom relevant or about me. I have learned that when I put You first and focus on pleasing You, all of my needs are met, my burdens are lighter, and I have maximum joy. That is what I want today and everyday. Help me to prioritize appropriately, walking in the newness of life that is mine in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Then, when I lay my head down tonight, I will know that this has been not just a good day but a great day. Amen.