Thursday, February 2, 2012

Stubbornly Persisting

Last night I had a picture come to my mind. I've been realizing the Lord speaks to me a lot this way and I'm learning to pay attention when this happens.

The picture was of a pregnant woman (not me thank You Jesus!). She was carrying many large pieces of luggage. She had one strapped to her back, several on each arm, was balancing one on her head, and was even dragging some with her legs.

I asked Him what that meant.

My next thought was that it's interesting that a gentleman will open a door for a lady but will especially rush to open a door for an obviously pregnant woman. Even other women will stop what they are doing to help carry something for a pregnant woman. So the significance of the pregnant woman in my picture was not the baby but that she is someone who you would obviously want to help.

I felt like His desire was to lift the burdens of that woman. He was there with open arms to help her. But she refused. Stubbornly persisting that she could manage on her own.

How often do we do that?

The beautiful part was that I didn't pick up any sense of the Father's judgement towards this woman. It was like He was saying, "I know Love, I know you're strong. I made you, remember? I know you could do it. But you don't have to prove anything to Me. Let Me in. Let Me help you. I want you to be free."

It was nothing more then pure longing on His part to simply lift those burdens. It was a bit uncomfortable to watch really. I was nearly unable to help myself from judging the woman. Thinking, why don't you just let go? He only wants to help. Who do you think you are? You don't think you need Him??

But then of course I saw myself as that woman. Trying to carry and balance everything. Never doubting in His ability or desire to help me but feeling unworthy or simply too proud to show any weakness.

I wish I could accurately describe the feelings of compassion that were radiating from His Spirit. It was so touching.

If you are like me and maybe carrying a bit too much would you consider that man I spoke of before. The gentlemen rushes to help not because He sees a weak woman who can't make it on her own. He wants to help simply because He loves us and His desire is that we would be free of those burdens. He knows your strong. You don't have to prove anything to Him. He created you remember? Lay aside every weight. You'll be so glad you did.