Pack animal

We have a little sign that we got when we bought some overstuffed chairs years ago. It says, “I’m a recliner!” Since then we have made it a game to hide it where the other person will find it and get a laugh. The best one was when my husband put it on the under side of the toilet lid, so when I raised it there it was. A reclining toilet, how does that even begin to work?

Well sometimes we do that too. We put labels on ourselves that just place unnecessary burdens on our backs that were never ours to carry. Or we hold onto things that we are just not equipped to carry. A pack animal or beast of burden, is an type of working animal used by humans as means of transporting materials by attaching them so their weight bears on the animal’s back.

Traditional pack animals includes camels, goats, yaks, reindeer, water buffaloes, llamas, dogs, horses, donkeys, and mules. Did you notice what animal is not on this list? Sheep. That is all part of God’s genius plan! As His followers, we are called to be the sheep of His flock. Sheep have no natural defenses. They rely completely on the protection of the shepherd. And Jesus is the best Shepherd. EVER!

“Now I will relieve your shoulder of its burden; I will free your hands from their heavy tasks.” (Ps. 81:6 [TLB])

“What a glorious Lord! He who daily bears our burdens also gives us our salvation. He frees us! He rescues us from death.” (Ps. 68:19-20 [TLB])

“Give your burdens to the Lord. He will carry them. He will not permit the godly to slip or fall.” (Ps. 55:22 [TLB])

“For the Lord God says: ‘I will search and find my sheep. I will be like a shepherd looking for his flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places they were scattered in that dark and cloudy day. And I will bring them back from among the people and nations where they were, back home to their own land of Israel, and I will feed them upon the mountains of Israel and by the rivers where the land is fertile and good. Yes, I will give them good pasture on the high hills of Israel. There they will lie down in peace and feed in luscious mountain pastures. I myself will be the Shepherd of my sheep and cause them to lie down in peace,’ the Lord God says. “I will seek my lost ones, those who strayed away, and bring them safely home again. I will put splints and bandages upon their broken limbs and heal the sick. And I will destroy the powerful, fat shepherds; I will feed them, yes—feed them punishment!” (Ezek. 34:11-16 [TLB])

So hand over your burdens to the Lord, my little lambkins. He has strong, broad shoulders, and what better place to be, snuggled in His loving arms.

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