While I was attending college in Oklahoma my parents lived in Germany and then England. This was in the ’80’s before the airlines cracked down on the weight of suitcases and before suitcases came with sturdy wheels. I inherited a VERY large suitcase that was wonderful for getting an entire summer’s wardrobe across the ocean, but difficult to navigate. On one occasion upon flying back into Oklahoma from Germany, my bag came down the conveyer belt with yellow caution tape sporting the word, “HEAVY” wrapped all around it. Suffice it to say, I was a little embarrassed as I struggled to retrieve my monstrosity of a bag.
Over the last year, it has been uncanny how many huge trucks I have come across with a big yellow banner displaying “Oversized Load” across the front and rear bumper. Most of these large trucks have a small truck leading the way with another small truck following behind – each with an “Oversized Load” banner as well.
I’ve felt like an oversized load in various seasons of my life. In the last trimester of each pregnancy, I longed to tuck a shirt in and wear a belt. Or the times I seem to be moving in slow motion while others race by effortlessly in the fast lane. Some days I feel like my personality is too much. Other days I allow feelings of heaviness to weigh me down in the face of difficult circumstances beyond my control. Or those days I’m just plain tired.
Some of you may feel like you’re too much or your situation too heavy as well.
The next time you see an “Oversized Load” on the highway, think of all the preparation that has already taken place. To relocate a house, a foundation must be laid ahead of time to receive the load. The whole process is very purposeful. The landing place is prepared. The load is placed on the carrier. Someone leads the way. Someone guards the rear. The “Over Size Load” is carefully transported.
What about our heavy loads?
- The Lord goes before us.
- He is our rear guard.
- He is Immanuel, God WITH us!
As the one who goes before us, He sets the pace. As the one who is our rear guard, He keeps us on track. We must not move ahead of His lead or lag behind Him.
“The Lord will go before you; the God of Israel will be your rear guard.”
Isaiah 52:12
Nothing is too difficult or too heavy for the Lord. He is able and willing to take our heavy loads upon Him and lead us into prepared places. But are we willing to submit to the humbling process of being carried?
If you’ve brought a new baby home, you understand preparation. If you’ve moved a household, you understand preparation. How much more will the Lord – who knows the past, the present and the future – prepare every detail of our lives with tender care.
“… the Lord your God carried you as a father carries his son … (He) went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day, to search out places for you to camp and to show you the way you should go.”
Deuteronomy 1:29-33
The next time you or I feel overwhelmed with heaviness, we must trust our load with Jesus. Allow Him to take care of the details. Allow Him to lead with care. Trust that when He leads us from one point to another, He has every detail carefully planned out. He will not bring us to the point of delivery without making sure every part is in place.
The Lord wants the heavy load – the oversized load – on His shoulders. Allow Him to take it. Rest in His lead and in His attention to detail.
“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
It’s time for us to buckle up and enjoy the ride!
