Pam Padgett - teacher
During my life I have tried in various ways to be important. Trying to excel in school and
later to advance in my job are just two
ways I have tried to be important.
But trying to be important is opposite to the way of God and is a heavy burden. I don't want to go this way.
Matthew 18:2 And Jesus called
a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And said,
Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also
in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery
to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation,
and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness
of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and
became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
--
Another heavy burden was being a football fan. It was very
difficult when "my" team lost. It was especially hard if they played
very badly after I heard sports analysts before the game talk of how
well "my" team should do. This was affecting me, consuming me. I had even looked online for someone to replace an injured player, although there was nothing I could do even if I found a likely candidate!
1 Corin. 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
Not long ago I asked God to help me. One thing I felt led to do
was to stop watching the sports analyst shows. And I also was given the
concept that I didn't have to watch "my" team play (previously I had felt almost an obligation to watch "my" team.)
Recently I've been aware of being much less burdened in this. Last week
after seeing a few plays in which the team played poorly, I decided to
do something else. Instead of watching this game, I invited a neighbor to bring her dogs to play with
my dog, and it was very enjoyable for me to throw tennis balls for them
to retrieve and to watch them play.
Surprisingly, I don't think I had
tension or worry about the outcome of the game. And the burden I felt just a couple months ago to watch these games was no longer there.
--
Today I was thanking God that, because of He word and help, I can stop trying to be important and don't have to be consumed as a football fan ... and for how freeing these things are. I was reminded of the following:
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of
me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your
souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.