“Just relax!” My friend, Bill tells me in karate. I look at him, perplexed. This idea still doesn’t make sense even after eight years of lessons.
How can I relax? I need to try my hardest. But if I tensely go through my karate technique, I lose power and fluidity. I need to change how I do things.
My shoulder aches! I finish up a homeschool meeting, wondering what I do wrong. My client is sweet and I’m mostly listening, but I carry a weight I’m not meant to bear. Ouch!
In January I felt God giving me a special Bible verse for the year:
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30, NIV).
Now it’s October, the final quarter of 2024. Every project that I want to do wholeheartedly is stifled by this achy shoulder which comes back to reminds me,
Just relax!
Here I go again.
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7, NIV)
How long does it take to learn these life lessons? How many times will I need to bring my burden to Jesus and lay it at His feet. Do I think by holding on I’m doing my very best?
Just relax! Cast your cares on Him, I tell my heart. I wiggle that right shoulder and will the tension to go away. It’s good that these lessons take time. If I bring my burdens to the LORD over and over again, I am practicing closeness with Him.
I guess an achy shoulder will teach me well. His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
In karate and life, holding tight is not the way to strength.
I will rest and try again another day.
that’s how we handle the weight of life don’t we? Taking the time to say “hey God, this is the sit…. can we talk a bit?” and then taking the time to listen for his response. FMF7
yes, we grit our teeth and cling on to our own corner of control… He is so patient!