As many of you know, I took a team of ladies to Guatemala on a mission trip in
June. There were so many stories and amazing things that happened there, and I still
have not shared them all! One of my favorite stories happened on the last day of our
trip. We had spent days serving, hiking, cleaning, hiking, and sharing the love of Jesus,
and did I mention hiking!? Every part of my mind, body, and soul was weary.

On that final day, a team member and I chose to get up and watch the sunrise
over the ever-erupting volcano. As I made my weary way up the spiral staircase to the
rooftop of our hotel, all I could think about was that I was leaving and did I do enough.
Yes, we spent every day being the hands and feet of Jesus to the fullest of our
capabilities. But the need was so great! The physical and spiritual poverty was like
nothing we had seen before. The stories we had heard of the lives these women and
children endure weighed heavily on us. We sat there as the sun started to peak over the horizon; we paused and marveled at its beauty! The beautiful, spiritual truth of how the SON drives away all darkness was gloriously displayed in the sky! I let that truth sink in as we had seen and heard firsthand some of the worst spiritual darkness! But, my God is greater than this world's darkness, and He drives it away just like the sun that morning! 

After a few more moments marveling at the skies, we both shared our hearts.
How can we leave? How can we walk away from those who are in crisis here? If we
could have, we would have taken every woman and child we came across home with
us. How could we return to our cozy, lavish North American lives? The sun rose higher,
and our beloved volcano began to puff away, almost as a sweet, little parting gift to us!
As my friend and I sat there, we shared our burdens of all we had seen and all we
wished could have done! We prayed over this together, tears were shed, but our hearts
were still heavy!

I made my way back to my room to prepare for our departure. Now, this was a
familiar path to and from the rooftop where we had all spent many moments admiring
the view! To access this rooftop, you must go through this little Spanish bed and
breakfast’s version of a chapel. It was a very small room with the most beautiful mosaic
on the floor of three crosses, beautifully adorned with different colors of tiles. I’d walked past it almost daily, admiring it. However, when I walked past it today after praying and crying over such tremendous burdens on my heart, something wildly simplistic, but amazingly profound, hit my heart. I was to literally leave my burdens at the cross. The Bible talks about this frequently. Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” But in that moment, it felt so real so very tangible. My heart was heavy, and I was able to leave it all there for the Lord. These were not my problems to solve. I did have a job. I was supposed to go and be the hands and feet of Jesus, but I wasn’t supposed to fix every problem and crisis there. If I was able to do that in my own strength, then it would take away from those becoming aware of their greatest need- the Savior! I walked away lighter, knowing that the King of Kings was going to take my burdens and solve them all in His time, in His way.

The rest of the day was chaotic getting to the airport and beginning our long
journey home. I could feel those burdens begin to weigh on my heart. In my mind I saw myself running back to that cross mosaic, picking up the burdens, and putting them back on my shoulders. I giggled to myself at this picture; however, it is something I believe I do frequently. And I would guess I’m not alone in this. I know in my humanity I think I can control the outcome, or I can fix everything now. The truth is I can’t. If I try, I’m only going to mess it up. Why would I choose to walk burdened when I can be free of this? Matthew 11:28-30 comes to mind, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

My challenge to you is to take it to the cross and leave it at the cross! Walk free and rest in our Lord's strength!