December 4

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…casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

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🔊 An African woman once stood by the road waiting for a pick-up truck to come so that she could return to town from her fields carrying all the produce she had harvested.  It would cost her just a few cents to get into town.  When at last a pick-up came, she clambered into the back but kept the heavy basket of fruit and vegetables balanced on her head.  After a mile or so, the driver noticed her in his mirror and, stopping the truck, asked her why she was still carrying her load.  “I don’t want to pay for the load”, she said in a matter-of-fact voice.  “I will carry the load myself.”  We may smile at this, but it is astonishing how often we continue to carry heavy loads ourselves, forgetting that we are being carried by the almighty power of God.  We were not created to worry – that is both an unnatural use of the human mind, and ultimately a sin against God.  But most of all, if we are carrying the ‘weight’ of our spiritual lives – trying to maintain a life of holiness and devotion by our own strength – then we are continuing in unnecessary strain, since it is Christ Who died for us and Who gives us the strength to live for Him.  There are many things He will ask us to do, but none of them will crush us.  So lay your burdens down, and enjoy the fact that He cares for you!