Take Up Your Burden

What a different Feast of Tabernacles this has been. It was probably the most unusual one that we have ever experienced. Now we have returned to our everyday routines. We face our usual daily circumstance and our usual daily cares. The Feast refreshed our hope in the coming Kingdom of God. Now we must continue to patiently wait for its appearance. Now we must pick up our burdens once again and continue to carry them to the end.

Jesus said, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me" (Matthew 16:24). The encouragement of the Feast helps us to carry this burden. But this is not a load that we carry on our own, not by any means. Christ Himself helps us to carry it all the way to the end.

He said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). Though it may seem that you are heavily burdened, Christ will carry most of the load. If we walk in His ways, our burdens are much lighter and much easier to bear. For He also says, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me...for My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:29-30).

The Feast is over, and it has spiritually refreshed us. Now then, let us joyfully pick up our cross; let us patiently bear it with Christ who makes our burdens light. Let us carry on our endurance to the end. And remember Paul's words, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).

Warm regards,

Andy

Pastor