Hiking on Life's Trail Pt. 2 - THROW THE ROCK!

Although it was the shortest, it was the toughest of the three hikes - in a couple of ways.  There was definitely elevation gain. The last part of the trek was steep and had loose footing.  It was perilous enough for several signs to be posted - "Enjoy! Hike at own risk" and " Use hand holds on side wall". 

During this particular hike, the journey conversation was ... deeper maybe even tough.  It was Conversation in which we poured out experiences and thoughts that we carried in the depths of our hearts.  There were insights given, that came from each other and ourselves in the quiet moments.

As we sat at the summit of the hike we shared a few realizations.
On our individual journeys on Life's Trail we each carried burdens.   All of us do.

Burden.  A load; a weight; an obligation; that which is borne with difficulty; a hardship; trouble; worry; an affliction; a sorrow; a trial; a grievance.

These burdens came from life situations; hurts that time brought or were inflicted along the trail or personal fears and anxieties.

We realized however, that there were some burdens we had been carrying that maybe we shouldn't have had to bear. 
They were actually things in which we had picked up baggage that wasn't meant for us to hold... guilt, failures that weren't ours, fear, intimidation of others that manifested in anxiety, hurts held on to, urges to fix things that weren't ours to fix... so much more.
Each of us saw things that we had added to our weight -  responsibilities assumed, hindrances accepted or hardships actually chosen!  What a revelation!  Actually having it brought into complete focus that we really didn't have to carry or take on these identifiable burdens.
At that moment we decided to pick up visible and tangible representations of each of those identifiable burdens, and literally release them  -  by throwing them over the edge of our summit.

We still possessed our own burdens but we rejoiced that we didn't have to bear the full weight.  as two passages from the Word came to mind.

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2).  By sharing our hidden hurts, fears, and feelings we eased our individual loads and knowing that each of us are supported through the others prayers and love on this journey called life.

"Cast your burdens on Him because He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)

There is One who will bear our burdens if we are willing to lay them before Him.  And this is exactly what we did.  We left those things weights symbolically in the form of a cairn - each stone a burden placed before the Father.  For me that pile of rocks serves as a trail marker in life's journey, a reminder that the resting place for my burdens isn't on my shoulders but rather  with the Lord. 

My prayer for you today is that you recognize those burdens, those rocks, that you may have picked up along life's trail that aren't meant for you to carry. THROW THE ROCK!

Let that baby go and let it fly!  Then carry the burdens that are yours straight to the One who gives rest - the One who truly cares to the point of bearing what is laid before Him.

 Psalm 68:19  Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.

Matthew 11:28  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Exodus 33:14 - And He said, "My presence will go with  you, and I will give  you rest."
Psalms 62:8  Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.