The greatness of a man’s power is the measure of his surrender.
From Matthew 11:28: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
William Booth (1829-1912) was an English preacher; who along with his wife, Catherine, founded the Salvation Army.
Hardships make or break people.
Burdens are for shoulders strong enough to carry them.
(Both quotes come from Mitchell’s novel, Gone with the Wind)
Margaret Mitchell (1900-1949) was an American novelist and journalist. Her only published novel earned the National Book Award for Fiction in 1936 and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1937.
From Psalm 55:22: “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.”
Life’s stumbling footsteps
Sullen heart weighed down
Darkness at doorstep
Day’s final breakdown
Burdens never light
Load much too heavy
Collapsing at night
Floodwaters’ levee
Spirit’s tiresome tone
Christ walks alongside
Merciful seeds sown
Faith breathing, clear-eyed
Shelter’s welcome place
Prayer’s trusted reach
Overflowing grace
Christ’s faithful outreach
With every new day
Worry taking flight
Christ’s open gateway
Now traveling light
From Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”
The pressures and burdens of life don’t have to result in despair.
From 2 Corinthians 1:10-11: “He who rescued us from so deadly a peril will continue to rescue us; on Him we have set our hope that He will rescue us again, as you also join in helping us by your prayers, so that many may give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.”
Charles Stanley (1932-2023) was an American pastor and Christian writer. He was dedicated to leading a teaching ministry.
From 1 Peter 5:6-7: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”
Our world will sometimes
Turn upside down
Filled with anxiety
Peace faces meltdown
Life’s heavy anchors
Worry weighs down
Sinking ever deeper
Hope lifts at sundown
Father sees darkness
Brings forth His grace
Therefore, humble ourselves
Peace comes to embrace
Father’s mercy beams
Light’s bold outlook
Always caring for us
Hope’s warming chinook
Father’s caring breath
Calls us to cast
Every despondent thought
Faith always steadfast
From Psalm 94:19: “When the cares of my heart are many, Your consolations cheer my soul.”
God personally cares about the things that worry us. You are His personal concern. He cares about those aching thoughts that are like heavy anchors dragging you down.
From 1 Peter 5:6-7: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
Running away to nowhere
Sky absent of any joy
Hope feeling forsaken
Worry arrives to destroy
Driving along road’s darkness
Sky absent of moonbeam’s light
Hope feeling forsaken
Worry invades every night
Fleeing from life’s harsh outcomes
Sky absent of any peace
Hope feeling forsaken
Worry refuses to cease
Navigating stormy seas
Sky absent of any stars
Hope feeling forsaken
Worry bleeds from every scar
Wasting each forgotten day
Sky absent of all sunlight
Hope feeling forsaken
Worry forever in flight
Indeed . . . there is a faithful and forgiving Light, filled with unseen hope, as found in these verses of Scripture:
Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
If you are overcome by burdens in your life, it is time to trust the only One who can carry your heavy load.
From Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”
Sunset
Tomorrow’s worries
Spirit’s grace resets
Waking to morning’s peace
Sunrise
Burdens
Multiply baggage
Calvary breathes mercy
Jesus carries every piece
Lifted
Unmatched
Tidal wave
Facing major decisions
Father guides each step
Wisdom
This series of poems (written in the German-inspired style of Elfchen or Elevenie) shares a total of eleven words in each poem, with a sequence by line of one, two, three, four, and one words.
Worries
Life’s emptiness
Embracing Christ’s love
All given to Him
Freedom
Drifting
Lost again
Hearing Shepherd’s voice
Kneeling at Calvary’s cross
Found
Burdens
Useless baggage
Savior willingly gathers
Free to now travel
Light
Big Sky Buckeye 