Empty reads the gage on my car. Empty is the joy in my life as I, task after task, rip through the streets trying to accomplish all things on my to-do list.
Exercise, groceries – should have had quiet time this morning; maybe I can work it in this afternoon. I need to pray for others.
Please heal him. Please bless her – Oh, NO, I ran a red light! Too many things on my plate – I cannot catch my breath…
Have you ever seen an entertainer, who places a plate on a stick and spins it…
then another, and another, until he has a veritable jungle of spinning plates?
Once the plates are in motion, he pauses to admire his work. Then we watch as he runs from plate to plate spinning them, trying to keep them from crashing to the ground.
That is what my life looks like at times. I run from plate to plate, person-to-person, event-to-event, trying to keep everything from crashing to the ground.
“Of Benjamin he says, ‘May the beloved of the Lord dwell in security by Him, who shields him all the day, and Benjamin dwells between His shoulders.’” (Deuteronomy 33:12 NAS)
Oh, how I long to rest my head between the shoulders of Christ! But I have so much on the schedule that if I stop it might just run over me. If only angels would get groceries and start the supper.
“Benjamin is a ravenous wolf that tears his prey apart; in the morning he devours the prey, and in the evening he divides the spoil.” (Genesis 49:27 NAS)
That sounds more like my life.
Kill the beast! Check off the to-do list line by line. And if when checking it off I run an extra errand, I put it on the list just so I can mark it off!
It seems that God has given Benjamin contradictory instructions for his life. Or perhaps God is describing balance.
Work hard, kill the beast, but come and rest your head on my shoulder. Let me whisper life back into your soul.
How about you? Do you long for quiet, intimate time alone with Christ?
Yet the race becomes more intense, faster and harder, as you try to keep all plates the spinning.
“Take My yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:30)
And His hand, scared by love, reaches to the hand that is fair and whole, to release the burden to Him.
Then the waist, that poured both blood and water, bends to lift the burden surrendered.
Burdens caused by not asking for wisdom, before feet run to accomplish the task. Burdens of worrying in the night, from living in a fallen world; burdens created by knowing the Word, but not living the Word.
His yoke is easy and burden light, as is yours, when we rest our head between His shoulders.
Latest posts by Diane W. Bailey (see all)
- What God Can Do with A Shattered Heart - September 5, 2022
- When It Is Time to Bring Your Ship Ashore - January 2, 2018
- Art Of Hospitality – How to Love Others As Ourselves - November 27, 2017
Thanks, Di. Crazy week ahead and I needed this reminder!
Oh, this is so refreshing. Thanks.
Thank you, Tereasa!