The Burden-Bearer
A long-ago legend has it that, there once lived a man of towering
strength, a giant of a man. He was a pagan whose strength perhaps led him to believe
that he needed no higher power.
He made his living by carrying travelers across a broad river.
One day a beautiful child came to the bank of the river. As the man bent
down to allow the child to climb upon his back, the young lad said, "Are
you sure you can bear my weight?"
The man laughed. "Why, I've carried full-grown men across the
river. You, my little one, will be lighter than a pebble."
"Very well," said the boy. "But I must warn you. I am heavier
than I look."
With a grin, the man raised the child upon his massive shoulders
and stepped out into the swirling water. But the weight on his back grew
strangely heavy. Soon the brawny giant was struggling not to sink.With
superhuman effort he crawled up onto the opposite bank of the river and let
the child down.
"How can you be so heavy?" the perplexed man asked. "Who are you?"
"I am Jesus of Nazareth," replied the boy. "And I carry the
burdens of the world on my shoulders. Let me carry yours too."
And so it was that Christopher, today known as St. Christopher,
was converted to Christianity. The story reminds me -- I don't need to
struggle across each day on my own. There is One stronger than I. He is the
Great Burden-bearer. He even carries St. Christopher, yet on His shoulders
there is always room for one more.
Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will
give you rest." (Matthew 11:28 NLT)
"Lord, thank you for inviting me to come to you, especially when
life is getting too difficult for me. I find comfort and peace in knowing
that you are going to help me get across my river of difficulties if I just
rest on Your shoulders. Remind me always of my limitations so that day by
day I will remember that without you I can do nothing. Lord Jesus, please
lift me up and carry me through this day."
[ Author Unknown -- from d le lee, via 'inspirational_msgs' ]
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