Tag: weight

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Lay It Aside

The Manna Chef

One morning, God gave me a deeper revelation about me.  I’m sure many of you can relate, so I thought I’d share with you.  In an attempt to get some exercise early in the morning, I sometimes take the stairs instead of the elevator before heading into my office.  (I park on the bottom floor of the garage, so I take several flights of stairs.)  For some reason, I had so much to carry that particular day: my purse; my work bag, which was heavier for some reason; my lunch bag; my large water bottle; and my large umbrella.  I immediately thought, “Why do I have so much to carry today?” 

I gathered my things and locked the car.  As I approached the stairwell, I was met with my first dilemma of the day: do I forego the stairs and take the elevator, or do I press through and take the stairs with all this stuff I’m carrying today?  Sister, you know what I chose, don’t you?  I took the stairs.

When I reached the half-way point, I began to get a little winded.  The thing is, ordinarily I would have moved up those stairs quickly, but not that day.  I was barely holding on to all my stuff.  Did you get that?  I was barely holding on to all my stuff.  By the time I finally reached the top floor, I was silently reciting a part Hebrews 12:1:

…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.  

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Are You a Conduit or Reservoir?

The Manna Chef

Merriam-Webster defines a conduit as a natural or artificial channel through which something is conveyed (transferred or delivered) and a reservoir as a place where something is kept in store (placed and left).  I want to you examine yourself spiritually and emotionally today. 

Which are you, Sister, a conduit or a reservoir? 

A conduit listens, prays, supports, encourages, and may even offer guidance.  And then she hands the matter over to the Lord, trusting that He can handle it.   She’s not a super-saint.  She doesn’t wear a superhero cape and “fly” around solving the world’s problems.  But she is in constant communication with the Holy Spirit, and she can pray down the heavens!  That’s how she reaches Jesus.  It’s also why people are naturally drawn to her; they know she is connected to the Father.  But that can be a blessing and a curse if she is not operating as a conduit. 

Sister, no one is asking you to carry the spiritual load of those around you.  You cannot store up hurt and burdens in your heart.  It’s not healthy, and it certainly is not productive.  First of all, you are not designed to carry loads.  You are not a beast of burden, so carrying heavy loads does nothing but weigh you down and prevent you from obtaining the promises of God.  Psalm 55:22(NIV) says, “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.”  Cast your cares upon the Lord.  In other words, give those cares to God, and trust that He will move on your behalf.  Release them and hand them over, completely.  And then know that God will sustain you; you will not succumb to the pressure around you.  Unfortunately, some of the people of God haven’t learned to do that yet.  And when you refuse to hand the load over to God, you become a reservoir. 

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