By Surrendering Our Burdens to Christ, We Are Free to Shine

Jesus reconciles us to the Father, freeing us from the curse of sin, separation, and death. He gives us the ability to obey and choose God's will for our lives.

Click here to listen to this devotional written and narrated by Deborah Rutherford.

As I wrapped my hands around the hot mug of freshly brewed coffee, filling the room with its comforting aroma, it warmed my hands and outlook. I started the morning early and immersed myself in prayer, Bible reading, and journaling. It was lovely, and I wrote: I still seek your voice, my Lord, before I start the day.

However, my transition was anything but smooth. As I contemplated the day’s possibilities, I felt a jolt of anxiety threatening to overwhelm me. Then, the Lord gently tugged on my heart: Deborah, entrust your day to me, along with your burdens, fears, and worries. Jesus calls us to come to Him, and He will give us rest and carry our burdens. I remembered the days when I thought I had to bear everything–my burdens and those of others–including my sins and guilt, and it all felt so heavy. I was so weary, trapped in my desolate and ravaged land of want, desire, regret, and fear.

Yet, Jesus said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30, NKJV).

As Isaiah 35:1-2 beautifully illustrates, Jesus makes our wasteland sacred when we turn our lives over to Him. He begins there, where we are. We don't have to change, get ready, or try to clean up because He transforms our barren wasteland into lush gardens.

"The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God" (Isaiah 35:1-2, KJV).

I recall the day I gave my whole heart to Jesus and how freeing it was when all my burdens of shame and guilt dissolved. His Spirit filled me, and it's something I'll never forget. Despite this, on mornings like this one, my belief that I have control of the day and all its possibilities overwhelms me.

Yet, our Lord is so patient with me when He asks me to relinquish what is not mine to hold. Once again, I lay my burdens, desires, dreams, and the day itself at His feet. I am still, and I release them all to Him. I let His love cleanse me. Why reclaim the chains that Jesus freed me from?

Jesus reconciles us to the Father, freeing us from the curse of sin, separation, and death. He gives us the ability to obey and choose God's will for our lives. Our beautiful truth is that Jesus sets us free (John 8:36). We must hold on to this truth because the devil seeks to destroy us with an intoxicating world of sins, lies, and schemes to shackle us and prevent us from living in God's freedom. Although nothing can take away our salvation, the enemy's tactics can trip us up, preventing us from becoming who God made us to be and living the lives He has planned for us.

We must remain steadfast in Christ, being His salt and light in these dark days.

We must spread His love in our daily lives through simple, ordinary ways, showing His love in our families, neighborhoods, and communities. With minor acts of kindness and gentleness, we sow seeds of Jesus everywhere we go, planting and watering so others can receive freedom in Christ, too.

Are you carrying burdens that are not yours to bear? Perhaps worries are consuming you, and you might feel out of control. Overwhelmed as we may be, God instructs us to surrender everything to Him. Sometimes, I feel as if I must carry all my burdens, but Christ does that for me, leaving me free to be His hands and feet in our hurting world. He is our burden carrier. His yoke is light. By freeing ourselves of our burdens, we can step fully into the lives God has planned for each of us.

Today, if you are carrying any burdens, surrender them to Jesus and receive His freedom. Consider how you can take one step in sowing Christ’s seeds today. The step can be small and painless. For example, you could call a friend whom you know is lonely or stop to say hello to a neighbor watering their yard. Let's be free in Christ and shine His light on others.

Connect with Deborah Rutherford

https://deborahrutherford.com/

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