Burden Bearer | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: Burden Bearer | Previous Challenge Entry
By Shanta Richard
01/24/13
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Centuries ago people travelled from place to place on foot or by animal driven carts. Most Indian farmers would carry their produce on their heads to the nearby farmers’ markets. Along the roads they travelled, there were stone structures called, ‘Burden Bearers’ (Sumai Thangi – in the Indian language.) They consisted of two stone pillars about five feet tall supporting a flat stone slab. The weary travelers would transfer the loads from their heads onto the stone tables easily since they did not have to bend down to place them on the ground. Although it was only a temporary rest, it was enough to restore and rejuvenate them to continue on their journey.

Recently travelling through rural India I came across one of these abandoned structures. Looking at them I could imagine what a great blessing they must have been to the travelers of those bygone years. But I never really understood or experienced the rest and comfort of a ‘burden bearer’ until a few weeks ago.

I needed a few items of groceries and went shopping to the super market just a few blocks away. Once there I found a lot of things on sale and soon my shopping cart was loaded. It was only when I picked up my bags from the cart that I realized how heavy they were. Since it was only a short distance I decided to walk home.

My energy started to fail by the time I covered half the distance. I could not go any further. My whole body ached and I was panting for breath. Looking around I saw an iron bench under a tree on the side walk. Gratefully, I lowered my bags and sat down.

It was then that I really experienced the feeling of restful peace and energy that seeped through me. That iron bench was my ‘burden bearer’, and I realized how true those words were.

Along life’s highway many times I have searched for a ‘burden bearer’ –a place to rest – to lay my burdens down- to relax and restore my strength. Reading my Bible I came upon the invitation of Jesus Christ to come to Him with my burdens. I read His promise to give me rest. (The Bible, Book of Matthew, chapter 11, verses 28 and 29.) In Christ, my savior I have found my Burden Bearer. But He does not wave a magic wand and make my burdens disappear. Like the burden bearer the rest He promises is only temporary. But He encourages me to take His yoke and learn from Him and then I would find real rest. That is His promise – He will help me bear my burden to its destination and then He would grant me rest from all my labors in His Kingdom.

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