Working out and lifting weights has become second nature to me ~~ but it still doesn’t come easy. The first exertion of force comes not from my arms or legs but from my mind; this is where the biggest hurdle and greatest challenges can be found.
I recognize that I must daily put some effort into my intentions before I can apply some muscle to the move.
The irony is that I choose to do battle with objects that challenge me ~~ in an attempt to develop strength. Do I moan and groan? Of course I do! Do I struggle with convincing myself to go the full distance? Absolutely! But I know that if I do these challenging activities, I will benefit in the long run.
Likewise, I must also be wise in my attempts to become stronger by recognizing when to release loads. The body at this ‘age’ (now, don’t burst into laughter too loudly here, Girlfriend, I might hear you) can tolerate only so much, especially having been under recent ‘reconstruction.’
After a session of working out with weights, the body needs time to repair and recover. But it’s amazing how ‘freeing’ my limbs feel after pushing them to their limits. Suddenly my arms are ‘lighter.’ Because I have put down the load.
In order to get stronger, I don’t need to carry the weighted load all day long. Just for the specified training time. And then it has served its purpose.
Walk with me in my thoughts here for a moment, will you, Girlfriend?
The load that we carry ~~ serves its purpose when we glean from it the life’s lessons that GOD has intended for us. And then it’s time to release it Him.
But then there’s also the load that we are tempted to pick up along the roadside as we walk our Journey ~~ rocks of resentment, pebbles of unforgiveness, gravel of envy, dust of anger, even dried manure of hatred. Get my drift here? We collect these objects like a child facinated by their multifaceted shapes and sizes and marvel at the way they glisten in the sunlight. Because they intrigue and satisfy our momentary glitches in time during lonely or hard times along the Journey, we tuck them into our pockets of memory. There, they are kept safe from view and public scrutiny.
Over time, the load becomes a tremendous burden, and our walk becomes weakened as we are weighted down by our collectibles. Even the strongest man can only bare so much of this burden; and then he breaks.
What collectibles do you need to unpack and get rid of today? The Scripture verse above calls us out, Girlfriend ~~ to strip ourselves of sin that is weighing us down. Is your walk hampered by loaded sin tucked securely and discreetly in the deep pockets of your life?
Job 34:21-22 “For God watches how people live; he sees everything they do. No darkness is thick enough to hide the wicked from his eyes.”
Come take a load off those burdened shoulders, Sweet Sister!
Matthew 11:28-30 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Ahhh! Jesus to the rescue ~~ Sweet Savior of my soul! Repair and Recovery.
Even Sisters~in~Christ must be made whole on a daily basis. Let’s face it, Girlfriend, on this side of Glory we get sidetracked just as easily as anyone else. But we are called to holiness because He is Holy. Sanctified ~~Set apart ~~ to do His Work.
Set your load down ~~ right here and now ~~ stripping off all the sin that weighs you and me down ~~ and walk uprightly and in freedom.
I love you to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~~
LindaRJohnson
T2T Visionary
Titus Two 