Putting God to the Test
April 19, 2024
The load is a blessing
August 20, 2018
… I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. - PHILIPPIANS 1:7
You carry people on your back or hold them in your heart. Those on your shoulders may feel burdensome. But if God puts someone in your heart, you’ll see the load as a blessing.
For example, Paul regarded the people he brought to Christ as his spiritual children. Like anybody’s kids, they sometimes were a burden to him—consider his struggles with the Corinthians. Yet because God had placed Paul’s spiritual children in his heart, he was grateful for them, even if sometimes a heavy load.
People say occasionally, “I’m so burdened about this person… Would you visit them?” I always know when someone is carrying another person on their shoulders, because they will attempt to shift the burden. But when God has placed someone in their heart, most often the individual will say, “Pastor, pray for me that I can really help this person.” We may try to offload those on our shoulders but are we willing to carry the people God puts in our hearts?
TODAY’S FOCUS
Think about the people for who you are responsible or concerned. Ask God to take them off your shoulders and put them in your heart.
