Have you ever noticed how burden often begets burden? A heavy heart is made heavier still when one inflicted with a pain is overtaken by the unexpected discouragement accompanying the trial. This state is only perpetuated when a current of shame, shame for having despaired in the first place, keeps the broken reed from reaching the air on the surface. If unlifted, what began as a hurt, can become a weighty sea threatening to drown the life of the one held under its wake. The broken one is left to think, "what would God want of me now, I am of no use?"

The answer God gives to that question is "everything." He wants everything to do with the heavy of heart who come to Him in humility and truth. He does not ask the broken to fix themselves, to make themselves presentable, that they may merit His presence. He does not say to the drowning man, "learn to swim, and if you get the hang of it, swim my way."

No, he says, "cry out to me and I will come." He says, "come to me and I will mend.” We were not made to bear the load, but instead to know the Load Lifter.

"The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads.” Psalms 145:14

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

- Micah McElveen