Daily Devotional: Friday, May 14

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: I'm Overwhelmed

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Let the Praises Ring by Lincoln Brewster; God is With Us by Michael Olson; How Great is Our God/How Great Thou Art by Chris Tomlin; You'll Come by Hillsong.

Read:  Matt. 11:29-30; Micah 6:8

Think:  I came home from church last Sunday with much to think about and "chew on". The sermon entitled:"I'm Overwhelmed" really hit home with me. Pastor explained the concept of having margins in our lives, a margin being "the amount available beyond what is necessary". I realized that lately, I have been living with slim margins emotionally, physically and spiritually.

It prompted me to revisit a book I read by Joanna Weaver entitled "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World" based on the sisters from the book of  Luke. There is a story in chapter 4 about a man whose margins are shrinking quickly. To summarize, the story goes like this:

The man is talking with God one day and asks Him "Lord is there anything I can do for you". God says, "Yes, I have a wagon with three stones in it. I am looking for someone to pull it up to the top of that hill. Are you willing to do that for me?" The man is thrilled to be trusted to do something for God and quickly agrees. He sets off up the hill humming a tune of praise and enjoying the beauty of the view. Along the way, he meets a friend who says, "Oh, you're going up the hill? Will you take this rock for me?" The man agrees, happy to be helping his friend. He meets another and another and agrees to carry their loads to the top of the hill as well. What started out to be a joyful journey is quickly turning into a heavy burden that he is now doing with much grumbling and resentment. With shoulders aching and his song of praise long gone, the man cries out to God. "This is too hard for me! I'm not strong enough. You'll have to get someone else. Surely, you can't expect me to continue to carry this heavy load!" In the end, God redirects the man to what He has called him to do and helps him to unload his wagon of the added rocks. The man's burden is light and his joy is restored.

Do: Make of list of all the things you feel are in your "wagon". Ask God to show you which ones He gave you and which ones have you picked up on your own along the way.

Pray: Lord, the Bible tells me that your yoke is easy and your burden is light. Help me to take on only what you have truly called me to. Give me the wisdom and courage to let the rest go. I trust you and want to live my life with a song of praise to you in my heart. Amen

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

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