I try to carry the weight of the world on my shoulders.
It's heavy.
It hurts.
It cuts my skin and makes my muscles ache.
But if I don't carry it, who will?
I take on the weight of the world on my shoulders.
People's anxieties and regrets.
People's secrets and sorrows.
I am bowed over, crawling in the dust, trying to be strong enough for them all.
Because if I don't bear it, who will take the time to listen?
I pretend there is no weight of the world on my shoulders.
If I smile, no one will notice.
If I laugh, no one will know.
If I pretend, no one will see how I tremble underneath the strain.
Because if I don't stay happy, who will lift us up?
It's too heavy. My shoulders bleed. My body shakes. I crawl a few inches further. And then I stop. My breaths are labored and I'm choking in the dust. In one last attempt to be enough, I push the ground to try to raise myself up but the weight of the world is too heavy. I collapse. A gasping cry leaves my lips as it finally hits me,
I wasn't made for this.
A pierced hand gently touches my blistered shoulders. It is so soothing. Gentle yet firm. He starts to take the weight of the world off my shoulders. I don't try to stop Him. I stay in silent surrender.
The weight falls off and I hear Him groan as He puts it on Himself. I painfully turn my head to look up at Him. And for the first time in ages, I truly smile, not just for show.
He can carry the weight of the world on His shoulders.
It's heavy.
It hurts.
But it doesn't cut His skin or makes His muscles ache.
He is the perfect one to carry it.
He could take on more weight of the world on His shoulders.
His people's anxieties and regrets.
His people's secrets and sorrows.
He is the only one strong enough to fix them all.
He would always take the time to listen and redeem.
He was the only one to carry the weight of the world on His shoulders.
That burden was never meant for me.
How foolish was I to think I could bear it?
Instead of trying to shoulder it alone, I needed to trust Him with it all.
How incredibly simple yet vastly difficult.
He picked me up from the ground, dusted off my clothes, and my shoulders instantly began to heal. I wept for the joy of relief. This was exactly how it was always meant to be. He steadied the weight on His shoulders, smiled, took my hand, and He led me on my journey home.
"Cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7
