There is a story of a train engineer in Spain.
He was in charge of driving Spain’s bullet train from the city of Santander to Madrid. But, less than half way through the journey the engineer became weary. And so, he stopped at a small station in the remote town of Osorno. There he left the 109 passengers stranded, claiming that “his shift was up”. Passengers and officials demanded an explanation. But the railroad company simply stated, “We limit the hours our engineers can work – for safety reasons”.
Who do we blame? The engineer? His shift was up. The railroad company? They limit the number of hours an engineer can work – “due to safety reasons”. As if it’s safe to strand 109 passengers in the middle of nowhere.
When the lives of human beings are on the line, completing the journey and the mission trumps “Quitting Time” policies. I’m sure the train engineer was getting tired. However if there’s no relief, then his duty is to “tough it out” until the journey’s over.
As a young parent, I never anticipated that the job might never come to an end. My children continue to have issues. Even my grandchildren sometimes need my assistance beyond a grandpa’s visit. But do I allow myself to get weary and “check out” of my responsibilities? What if an airline pilot and co-pilot became disgusted with a long and difficult flight and decided to “check out”? What if they left the cockpit, and took a seat among the complaining passengers? Or if all the military and peace officers became disgusted over the bad press and lack of appreciation. What if they suddenly walked off their jobs and handed the world over to terrorists and criminals?
No, we all have a God-given duty in this life. A duty to live our lives, to fulfill our obligations, and to be a blessing to humanity. God Himself is our example. He bears the burden of running this universe. God upholds all its laws. He cares for its billions of creatures, many of whom never give Him thanks or even acknowledge His existence. Talk about feeling unappreciated.
Are you getting weary of bearing your parental or professional burdens? Then reach out to God for strength. After all only God has the power to revive you and breathe new life and inspiration into your heart. God is your best and truest Friend who knows exactly how you feel.
When the lives of human beings are on the line, completing the journey and the mission trumps “Quitting Time”
Look at how God carried the grumbling sons of Israel for 40 years in the desert. Moses, their leader, grew weary of the burden and even prayed to die (Numbers 11:1-15). But God sympathized with his suffering and brought him help and relief. However it was God, not Moses, was carrying Israel through the wilderness.
“In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them; in His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and He bore them and carried them all the days of old.” -Isaiah 63:9
If you feel burdened by the responsibilities you carry, never forget that beneath you are “the everlasting arms” of God. He will carry you and your burdens. (Deuteronomy 33:27)
In Psalm 55 King David bemoaned the pain and pressures he endured. He yearned for the chance to “fly away like a bird to a place of rest in the desert”. (Psalm 55:4-8) But escaping his responsibilities was not the right answer. The right thing to do was to reach out to God for help. David’s solution?
“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” – Psalm 55:22
The apostle Peter had the very same advice for the weary child of God.
“Cast all your care upon Him because He cares for you” – 1 Peter 5:7
PRAYER:
O dear Father in heaven, I am so weary of bearing these relentless burdens. I am weary of dealing with problems which never seem to improve. Please give me strength to do my duty. Please shoulder these burdens for me. And please heal the situations and the people which weigh me down. Amen.
