Isn’t it true that there are a ton of things that people are allergic to? Wheat, nuts, milk, eggs, bees, cats, dogs, etc. How about being allergic to asking for help?
You see, that’s my problem, I may not have food allergies, but I am allergic to asking for help. I have a terrible time asking for it, and this can cause a lot of pain in my life; you know, like backaches, neck pain, and all kinds of body aches and anxieties.
Therefore I amass too much for my shoulders to bear. We are to share one another’s burdens; this is true, but the burdens we do take on must be within the boundaries of God’s will. And this is where I get into trouble. I resist God’s will for lack of patients and a sense of urgency.
In Fall 2013, I loaded myself up like a pack mule. I can’t count how many times my wife, Toni, would be frustrated seeing me loaded down with stuff. Like a macho man – okay, like a macho idiot, I try to move or carry everything in one trip.
Well, I was off on a business trip, with my loaded backpack, luggage in my left hand, and several shirts and a coat in my right hand, headed downstairs in a hurry.
Suddenly, my left foot scuffed the carpet enough at the midpoint landing, causing my left foot to skip a few steps. My 255 pound body, backpack, and luggage caused my left quadriceps to snap like a dried twig and shred apart. The momentum flung me like Superman the rest of the way to the first floor! I nearly cleared the entry way, landing half my body into the dining room! The entry and dining room floor is solid oak.
Being allergic to asking for help nearly killed me. After the surgery, it laid me up for three months. Which, by the way, gave me ample time to learn an important lesson…
…Go for lighter burdens!
Jesus said: “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matt 11:30
“Are you tired and burned out on religion? Then come 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.” Matt 11:28-30
So, I take this time to reflect and reset my attitude and train myself to trust the will and purpose of God, and taking on the easy yoke of Christ. I desperately need the lighter burdens of his call on my life. I need the freedom to be a child of God once again, and not the “big independent guy” that looks like he’s got it all together.
To be more than what I am called to be as a son, brother, husband, and father is where pride will gain the upper hand, and ignoring actual shouts of “no” or “too much” from within. If I refuse, the false self and poser will lead to my destruction. Any person in ministry and in life, must live and act within the constraints of true and genuine humility or become a destructive force against their community, family, and their own life.
Jesus preaches to the crowd…
“Say only yes if you mean yes, and no if you mean no. If you say more than yes or no, it is from the Evil One.” Matt 5:37
Nothing but the Cross
“Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. It would help if you had forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.” Gal. 6: 1-3.
It’s all about burden sharing, a little of mine, for a little of yours.
Oh, and by the way, take care of your allergies, especially your allergy, asking for help!
Call To Courage 