I have been doing a great deal of exercise these days. It relieves stress, helps me manage my body, makes me sweat (some work is good for the mind), and oh my – those endorphins afterward are unlike any cup of coffee! I also insist my daughters workout with me. For an adult who gets sore, there is some weird satisfaction when the teens complain of sore hamstrings and triceps. 🙂 And when we add weights? Well, it’s just hilariously cruel.

In life we learn to carry all kinds of things. And people. We pick up after our children, we pick up the slack for our spouse. We lift up our voices in prayer and thanksgiving. We carry the burdens of others and so fulfill the law of Christ. We can even feel the weight of these dying bodies. As we fight spiritual battles, we carry and wear the armor of God. And when we fail to see our help, we lift our eyes to the heavens.

Life is heavy sometimes.

And if you are tired, remember something: you are gonna burn out if you don’t draw your strength from the Lord. I continually remind myself that it is not by might, nor by power but by God’s Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.

Yes, you must keep lifting, keep bearing and carrying. But do not forget that your burdens are meant to be light and done in His strength. If you are walking with the Good Shepherd, listening for His voice, you know He is calling you to take His yoke upon yourself and learn of Him. A trade for your greater burdens. He knows your labors, your sweat and tears. And He extends His hand. The only true task that you have before you is to keep coming, keep praying, keep your armor on and keep getting back up.

Because you are not the champion. You are His prize. Let that sink in….

You do not need to do the heavy lifting.

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Is. 9:6

“Death is swallowed up in victory” 1 Cor. 15:54

“I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” Rev. 1:18

Can you do that???  —  Ya, neither can I.

We are made in His image. We are His workmanship. We are His Church. Our battles are whatever His are, even though the battles belong to Hom. Our concerns should reflect His concerns. Our hearts ought to mirror His.

Maybe one rule in the midst of this crazy crazy world right now could be this:

Eternal comes first.

Salvation for every man and woman is the heartbeat of our life. Not the affiliation. Not tradition.

Eternal comes first.

If that means laying down your hurts and openly forgiving someone because Christ first forgave you, it might make all the difference in the eyes of your children watching.

Eternal comes first.

Beyond views and opinions, beyond rights and liberties. We will fear God and honor the king by always loving the Lord Jesus with these wayward broken hearts, in all our work and through all our worship, wherever we are.

Eternal comes first.

When the bank account never really leaves very far from zero, but you can be rich in love, in a peace that passes understanding, in thankfulness and you are still rich in grace, it is because eternal comes first to God and He gives good gifts.

The heavy-weight champion of the world is our King, Jesus. He has torn the veil and lifted the yoke of our slavery. He has fulfilled every law that we might be free. Government rests on His shoulders. He places kings and displaces Kings. He left His throne, laid down His life and rose in complete victory. Eternal comes first, because He is eternal. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last.

And for the love of God, peace be with you and may you be about our Father’s business, mighty in His strength, alone.