What are you leaning on? We may find ourselves leaning on the table, leaning over the counter or just leaning against anything that may hold a portion of our weight. I remind my family often not to lean on doors. They will look for something in the pantry or the fridge and just lean on the door that wasn’t meant to be leaned on. When we lean on something else, we are shifting a portion of our weight from us in search of some relief from carrying it all ourselves. It serves to provide us with a break, a moment of reprieve.
Leaning on others is one of those things we do which can help to form a bond. You are likely very familiar with the song, Lean on Me. The lyrics remind us of those who help us to carry on when we don’t feel like we can any longer. An interesting part of leaning is when we lean together, no one is carrying all the weight – it is shared among many who can support one another. It can be, though, we carry too much of other people’s heaviness. We help to carry their sorrow and grief. We help to carry their trauma and disappointments. These are all important as we grow together. But there are times when we need to learn to let others help us carry on as well. It isn’t always easy to ask for help or to find someone willing to walk with us as we are nearly collapsing under the weight of it all.
These are times when we must learn to lean spiritually. There are moments in our lives when all seems too much and we don’t have the support to hold us up. These moments remind us of the Almighty – his arms so big and wide and strong. These arms to carry us and hold us up when we cannot move forward. These arms to give us the courage to get back up and try again. Another song comes to mind – Leaning on the Everlasting Arms. God’s arms are big enough to carry us through, even when we cannot find the strength to take the next step.
Are you struggling to find your way? Maybe you are leaning on the things which cannot support you or hold you up. Maybe start leaning on the only arms which can hold all the weight and guide you to freedom. Maybe we lean on God.
Focus Scripture:
Psalm 18:35-36
35 You have given me the shield of your salvation,
and your right hand has supported me;
your help has made me great.
36 You gave me a wide place for my steps under me,
and my feet did not slip.
Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery. Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery
SEEING THE EXTRAORDINARY 