How are Your Casting Skills?

Psalm 55:22

Cast your burdens on the Lord, and He will support you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

See that little guy up top? Not a care in the world. Somewhere nearby in an adult watching over him. They have already given him all the instructions. ‘Don’t get too close to the water. Keep the life jacket on. Watch where the pole is at ll times. Don’t swing the pole around…etc.’ If you have ever gone fishing with a little one for the first time, it is a lot of instructions before beginning to have the fun of catching a fish. But wait. I am pretty sure that’s the way it is with every new adventure. If we want to learn how to do it right, we will listen. I remember sewing with my Mom, painting with my Dad, driving a car, reading a map, skiing, and the list goes on. First, you get the instructions.

Think about it. When we take a few minutes, (or longer) to get the instructions before we begin, we are more likely to be successful, and have fun. I know a kid who does not like to get the instructions. He thinks he knows how to do it before even trying. This kid seems to end up frustrated more often than not. He drops the entire project, and walks away angry. You see, there is usually someone who has done what you plan to do before you did it. They know a little more than you, having had the experience already. When we glean the information they have, it helps us to make less mistakes. When we are too prideful and arrogant to listen, disaster awaits!

Now let’s take a look at the verse again. I want to reverse it for a minute. ‘He cares for you’. Knowing there is an adult nearby that cares for him, helps this little boy have confidence. He knows if he runs into a problem fishing, someone who cares for him will help him. That must be like a security blanket wrapped around him. The first part of the verse; ‘cast your cares on Him’, has a much greater impact knowing He cares for me. When someone has your best at heart gives us a great assurance.

I am reminded of an ancient Jewish Rabbi who was carrying a heavy load as he walked. He passed an Arabian tradesman with a caravan. The Arabian said, ‘take your burden and throw it on my camel’. The Rabbi did so. What a relief the Rabbi felt! No heavy burden to weigh down his shoulders and give him pain.

We know there is One who has already carried the weight of our burdens on him. He will not grab them from us, no more than the Arab did to the Rabbi. He has made the offer, ‘throw your burden on me. I will carry it for you!’ Have we done that? Are we listening to Jesus as He makes this offer? Maybe we are like the kid who says , ‘I can do it myself’, with pride and arrogance. How does that work out when we do it that way? We often stress and distress, take it out on those around us. We don’t cast our burden on the One with the answers, the knowledge, the experience, the strength. We need to work on casting skills!

Question; Are you still carrying a burden you have no control over? Has the Lord already told you He will carry it? With corona still lurking around, we need to cast our burdens on the Lord more than ever. Many questions about our futures still hang in the balance, remember…He Cares for YOU!