Not Made of Steel
Not Superman, faster than a speeding bullet. Not Popeye after a can of spinach. Not The Incredible Hulk, becoming indomitable when angry. Not Spiderman, being able to climb tall buildings and leap great distances.
Not John Wayne, tough enough to handle the job by himself. Not Wyatt Earp with his six-shooter. Not the Lone Ranger with his silver bullet. Not Zorro with his sword.
Not Solomon with his wisdom. Not Joshua with his military skill. Not Samson with his strength. Not Paul with his intellect.
Wanting to be like Jesus. More like. His love. His grace. His mercy. His patience. His wisdom. His focus. His heart. His purity.
A preacher. Human being. Flesh and blood. Mortal. Not better than the best man or woman. Not worse.
Called. Called by God. Called to preach. Called to serve. Called to make a difference. Called to live a life that is focused on heaven. Called to point others to The Way, The Truth, and The Life—Jesus Christ.
The burden. How to describe the burden. How to speak of that which has no math, no science, no academic language to define the subject. How to speak of an intangible as real as life itself. How to share with others what cannot be seen, but what is in the heart. The burden.
What is it that can only be in the mind and in the heart, but keep one awake at night? What is it that can say “no” to important things seen, only because what cannot be seen is more important? What is it that can cause material things to have lesser value than the things never to be touched in this present life? What is it that can defer the immediate to seek that which is in another sphere, a future time, and another country?
The burden. The burden to care for others. To love them into the kingdom. To convince them that the very essence of life is Christ. To persuade men and women to turn from following the flesh and follow the Spirit.
How is it that so many are called to bear the burden, yet the burden is equally heavy for each individual? How is it that each has a common portion of the burden, yet each is called to a separate task? How is it that the task can be so different, yet each task in its difference has the same intent and purpose and common end?
Oh, for more wisdom. Oh, for more knowledge. Oh, to have answers for life’s difficult questions. Oh, to be able to have the right words for each person who is in a crisis. Oh, to know how to comfort those who grieve. Oh, to know how to rejoice with those who have been blessed!
But the burden presses. The body languishes. The burden presses, while energy waxes and wanes. Cannot one see that the body and mind are in conflict? Cannot one see that the body is calling for the green pastures, even while the mind is seeking exquisite and lofty treasures? Can one see the burden that lies so heavy on the heart contends with the mind and body? The burden insists on investing in the eternal.
Not steel. No, not steel. God does not always call the wise and noble. Sometimes God calls a shepherd to be a king. A sheepherder to be an Amos. Not a queen to be the Mother of Jesus, but a 15 year-old virgin. Not a rich man to adopt Jesus as his son, but a carpenter. Imagine a fisherman becoming one of Jesus’ closest disciples. Imagine a swarm assassin becoming a disciple of Jesus’ love. Imagine a murderer becoming Paul, the apostle.
The burden. Moses led God’s people out of Egypt. Joshua led God’s people to conquer Jericho. David established God’s people in Canaan. Nehemiah led the people to rebuild walls of Jerusalem in 52 days.
I have known hard work. I love hard work. Still there is a joy in swinging an axe to split wood, constructing a building, and laboring to see the completion of a physical project. Sweat can feel good. Tired muscles invigorate. Sleep is good after a long day of good work.
But the burden has no rest. Those who bear the burden are not made of steel. They must seek strength from the Burden Bearer. Wise are those who hasten to the place of rest where angels minister and the Holy Spirit strengthens. Those who allow Jesus to share the load are stronger than steel. Hell’s most powerful demons cower in fear of those stronger by faith than steel, those who walk and live in the power of the Spirit.
Sweet reward.
Peace.
Much love,
Pastor Bare
Isaiah 40:31