This world of ours – it’s a mixture of cultures, filled with different races, consumed with material things, longing for success, desirous of power and filled with greed. When all those things combine, there can be chaos. When it looks like there’s no hope – when desperate situations in other parts of the world are sewn into a patchwork of mixed messages and it’s up to us to decipher what is true and false – when fear of a disease or illness takes over our every thought and makes us ponder what comes next – when we see division within the boundaries of our own country and there’s nothing we can do about it – there will be confusion, anxiety and depression.

If you feel the weight of one more heavy burden being placed on your shoulders today, you are not alone. Life on planet Earth hasn’t changed much over time, we are just confronted with it in every second of our day. When another bomb is dropped, another difficult medical report is received, the death of a dear friend is revealed, our tendency is to collapse under the weight and give way to a feeling of being overwhelmed and beaten.

A couple thousand years ago, Jesus left His heavenly throne in heaven to carry that burden for us. He, being the Son of God as well as God Himself set out to pay the ultimate price for those burdens. He suffered for us – taking our place, bleeding for us, dying for us, suffering humiliation and scorn. He was laid on a cross and hoisted up by Roman soldiers who had no concern for who He was. Those who were called His disciples deserted Him, leaving Jesus to face a bloody death on His own. While He suffered on that cross, He provided for the future care of His mother. He admitted one of thieves hanging next to Him into Heaven. He showed His humanity in his thirst and pain. He forgave the world from every sin – past, present and future. He submitted to the will of His Father. He willingly gave His life so we would be set free.

He still carries our burdens as we experience the trials of living. When He rose from death on Easter morning, He claimed victory over the devil and sin. When He ascended into heaven, He paved the way for us to join Him someday. Nothing on this side of eternity is going to ever be perfect because sin still exists, but Jesus overcame the world and is waiting for us to join Him in paradise. That is news you can count on, because it comes straight from God.

Our walk each day is often filled with tangles, twists and turns,

We try to forge a clearer path, for safety our heart yearns,

Each fork can lead you to success, each branch can hide the way,

You struggle with the smallest things, you’re not sure what to say,

The road holds many stumbling blocks, you fall and then you rise,

The darkness of a late-night walk, can muddle up your eyes,

If you don’t follow all the signs, you may stray off the way,

You need someone to walk with you and hear the words you say,

It all becomes much clearer when we trust in the true God,

He shows the way and leads us home, wherever we may trod,

He lifts us when our legs grow tired, He calms our every fear,

He carries us when we can’t walk, He wipes away each tear,

The darkness may surround your steps, but He is always there,

To shed His light upon your way, to take away each care,

Put your faith in God, the Father, He’ll never let you down,

His Holy Spirit comforts you, His Son gives you a crown,

Eternity will be your prize, when this life is long gone,

Just trust in His sustaining love from dusk until the dawn.

POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER©