Pressure Pointsნიმუში

Living Lightly

Several years ago, my wife Rach and I were travelling overseas with our 20-month-old twins. We had our twin pram, a couple of very large suitcases, and more bags than we could comfortably carry.

On one occasion, we were trying to get from one city to another by train, and had organised an Uber to take us to the station about 4km away. We’d booked a large van, and so we stood out on the street in the cold waiting for it to arrive. When the driver arrived, he saw us—crying kids, pram, and all our luggage—and drove straight off. We must’ve looked like far too much to deal with. We were dumbfounded!

We desperately re-opened the app and tried to book another driver, but it was no good. The only options left were hatchbacks, and we knew that there was no chance we were going to fit in one (or even two) of those. With check-in fast approaching, we realised we’d have to run.

Rach loaded the twins into the pram and set off down the narrow, rocky streets. I put on every bag with a strap—backpacks, a nappy bag, even Rach’s handbag. I then grabbed the handles of the two suitcases and headed off after the others. I must’ve looked like a packhorse, and I certainly felt like one!

The whole way there was a blur. Our kids cried constantly from the bitter chill, but we just focused on “making it”. Staying upright. Surviving.

Eventually, we made it to the train station before our train left! When I finally took the bags off, I felt like I was flying. We were sopping with sweat, and my back was sore for days, but that was to be expected. We were simply carrying more than we were designed to carry.

In many ways, that’s exactly how we live. We carry expectations, pressures, and concerns that become far too much for us to handle. On their own, each might seem manageable—but together they weigh us down, drag us off course, and burn us out. We end up just surviving—just making it—rather than thriving. We live in a blur.

When we feel like that, at best, we struggle to walk in joy and peace. At worst, that’s when we make our most shortsighted choices, react the least lovingly, or struggle to hear God’s voice clearly.

But that’s not how it needs to be. Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” As the Message Bible puts it, Jesus promises that He “won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.”

Is there anything in your life that feels heavy or ill-fitting—something you were never meant to carry? If so, it doesn’t belong on your shoulders.

Instead, Jesus invites us to “learn to live freely and lightly.” And it does take some learning. It’s not our default. But that’s precisely why Jesus tells us to come to Him.

We can’t do it on our own, but as we walk with Him and trust Him with our troubles, the weights lift off. It doesn’t mean there are no troubles or responsibilities. But we no longer carry them alone—and we only carry what Jesus gives us.

We stop living like packhorses and start living freely and lightly with Him.

Let’s Pray
Jesus, I lay down every expectation and concern that is out of my control, and every burden that is not mine to carry. I trust You to take care of the things that worry me, and I focus my attention on the life You’ve asked me to live. Help me to live freely and lightly, and to rest in You today. Amen.