The Easier Path

Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you. Psalm 55:22
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Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6
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As these passages begin my day, the first image that leaps to my mind is hiking in the Grand Canyon.
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As a kid, I hiked the Grand Canyon once a year for many years (part of the benefit of being a Boy Scout in Arizona).
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Each year, we would do our practice hikes to get ready. The final pre-canyon hike was always at "Cupcake Mountain" just outside of Lake Havasu City, AZ. It was important that on that day that we hike the full 10 miles with our camping backpacks loaded to the same weight as they would be when we were at the Grand Canyon itself. Our leaders wanted to make sure we were ready for a 10 mile hike with a lot of weight on our backs.
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Then, about a month later, we would drive to the rim of the Grand Canyon, unload all of our gear, and get "saddled up." Our leaders would go around and check each boy's backpack, to make sure the waist belts were working, so the majority of the weight was on our waists, not our shoulders (this is how hiking backpacks work).
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As we walked the long and dusty paths, we were frequently passed by teams of donkeys, saddled down with the gear of tourists who had paid to have their backpacks carried for them instead. Then, a few minutes later, those same tourists would come bounding by, a simply water bottle in their hands, looking energetic and excited for a brisk walk. I remember the sweat pouring down my face, the weight of my own gear wearing sore spots on my waist, thinking how nice it would be to have the donkeys carry my gear as well.
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This is the image that starts our day today. Whatever presses down on us; whatever feels too heavy to carry; Christ will carry for us today. I picture myself as one of those light-footed tourists, water bottle in hand, excited for what the day will bring...because I know the burdens are being carried for me.
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So let's pause as we begin this day, and cast our burdens on Christ. Take a moment and let your requests be made known to God. Breathe. Then grab your water bottle and prepare for a brisk walk. There is much beauty to behold today.
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Sustainer, today we cling to the everlasting hope found in you. Whatever may come our way, we will boldly profess that we serve a God who provides exceedingly and abundantly, above all that we could ever hope for or imagine. Amen.*
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*Prayer taken from the Moravian Daily Texts