No More Stones

Read

Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Think

Imagine a little boy excitedly heading off to his first day of preschool, sporting a new blue superhero backpack. He proudly declares, “It’s just what I wanted!” as he confidently walks to the bus stop. However, as weeks turn into months, the weight of his backpack starts to pull him down. One afternoon, he drops it to the ground, exhausted, and sighs, “I can’t carry this anymore—it’s too heavy.”

When the backpack is examined to lighten his load, it surprisingly still feels heavy even after emptying it. On closer inspection, a hidden pocket full of stones is discovered—his “treasures” collected from daily adventures at the playground. Each stone, a souvenir from his treasure hunts, had unknowingly added to the burden he carried. To alleviate this, a new evening routine begins: the boy shows his backpack, and together, each stone is removed, transforming a weighty chore into a precious moment of sharing and relief.

This simple story is a powerful metaphor for the burdens we carry in our own lives. Just like the boy with his backpack, we accumulate stresses, worries, and unresolved issues that weigh us down. These burdens can be overwhelming, making it difficult to welcome each new day with enthusiasm. Thankfully, there is a promise we can cling to, much like the boy learned to share his burden. Jesus invites us in Matthew 11:28 to come to him, and he will give us rest.

How we accept this invitation may vary. It might be a quiet prayer in the morning, listening to worship, or finding peace in scripture during quiet moments. Regardless of the form, the act of reaching out to Jesus allows us to unload the weights that drag us down. By approaching him, we exchange our burdens for his peace and comfort, finding the strength to face each day renewed and lightened.

Apply

Memorize Psalm 55:22 “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” Reinforce the principle that God strengthens you and sees you. Give him your burdens.

Pray

Jesus, you know the weight of my burdens, the depth of my stress, and the pain that I bear. Thank you for your invitation to bring it to you. I know you can handle all of my problems and I trust you. Teach me to release them to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.