What Do You Bring?
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the appropriate time, casting all your cares on Him, for He cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7
When I heard this verse growing up, I limited my definition of “cares” to mean difficulties. The visual was Christ bearing my burdens easily and effortlessly, magically removing everything that was hard for me. When I really consider that as an adult, I realize it’s an incomplete picture at best, and an insulting one as worst. Some time ago, Archie Phillips, Sr taught that when Christ says His yoke is easy and burden is light, it means that He will shoulder the weight with you, not that it will just disappear. Instead, it means that He is there to guide, encourage, and help you!
Beyond difficult things, what do you CARE about? Take that which you care for to Him. This could be your goals, relationships, children, work aspirations, the visions of your future, and your hopes for your community. He is not only there to shoulder the things that come with heavy emotion, but He is there to help you navigate the way of the dreamer. He knows the dark and the light. After all, He made them both!
So, cast your cares upon Him, in humbleness. Walk with Him in the seen and the unseen. Seek His counsel, His ear, His eyes, and His voice in your day today. Consider well what You bring Him, and be sure not to forget to bring Him your greatest joys! There is a process unfolding in each of us. He cares about you!