“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment, heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.” ~ Matthew 3:16

 The Bible is filled with symbols, common objects, numbers and elements which represent deep spiritual truths.

Examples are:

Water for the Holy Spirit as well as for life Fire for purification or judgement

Light for God

Oil for the Holy Spirit and anointing

Bread for the life sustaining living Word of God Cross for salvation

Rainbow for God’s covenant Dove for the Holy Spirit Lamb for Jesus

Today, we use symbols to help us remember the Word of God. We use bread to symbolize the body of Christ, juice to symbolize the blood Jesus shed on the cross. We use water to remind us of our baptism, and that we are named and claimed by God.

During our Ash Wednesday Service of Ashes, those who attended received a rock. Biblically, a rock symbolizes strength and permanence, something we can rely on not to move.

But we received these rocks as symbols of the burdens we carry through our life. Some picked their rocks so they could fit in their pockets, keeping them close.

Some picked larger rocks to display in places they could see them. I picked mine—larger but not too large, so I could carry it with me in my bag back and forth to the church, or in my purse when I was going some place. It is heavy enough for me to remember it is always present.

What I have noticed, is that when I put my bag down, the relief I feel from not carrying it around anymore.

Each of our life journeys look different, and we carry different burdens. Some we have to carry, but many we do not. Through our conversations and our worship this Lenten Season, we will contemplate what burdens we are meant to carry, and what burdens we are not meant to carry. Here’s a hint, in case you don’t already know:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30.

So often we place unnecessary pressure or expectations on ourselves to be perfect, to know everything, to act a certain way, or live a certain way. But the reality is, those are not what we should be focusing on. All they do is cause undue stress, anxiety, and burdens. Instead, what we should be concentrating on is following God’s path, loving with grace and mercy, because God first loved us, and offers us grace and mercy. When we do, our burdens will become lighter, and we will live in the peace God created us to live in in the first place.

My friends, you are not the only one in this crazy and chaotic life who has burdens. All of us carry them. I pray you will join us this Lenten season as we walk this journey of self reflection together. Maybe together we can work on letting go of those burdens that we no longer need to carry. May it be so.

Always Peace,

Pastor Heidi