Whatever You Can Carry

By far my favorite scene of the 1998 movie EVER AFTER: A Cinderella Story with Drew Barrymore plays out in a dense wood.

Prince Henry has been detained by a band of Gypsies while he is walking with Danielle(Barrymore). The leader of the Gypsies has taken Danielle’s dress from where it was discarded on the rocks as she climbs higher to ascertain their direction.

Danielle: [to the head Gypsy] I demand you return my things at once. And since you have deprived me of my escort, I demand a horse as well.

Gypsy: My lady, you can have anything you can carry.

Danielle: [glances at Prince Henry and replies to the Gypsy] May I have your word on that, sir?

Gypsy: [considers for a moment] On my honor as a Gypsy, anything you can carry.

[Danielle walks to Prince Henry, hoists him over her shoulder, then turns and bows toward the Gypsy and begins to walk away]

The Gypsy [laughing] says, “Come back. I’ll give you a horse.”

(Excerpted from wikiquote.org)

Too often, I make decisions based on what I can and cannot carry. Physically, emotionally, and spiritually, I have limitations. Although I must indeed consider my own strengths and weaknesses, I must not base my choice solely on my own ability or inability. I have resources at my disposal that enable me to carry on under any circumstance.

Recently, I purchased a small dresser for my bedroom. The associates at the outlet store were happy to load it into my car, but once home, I needed to wait until my husband arrived from work to unload it. There was a time in my life when I would have wrangled that piece of furniture by whatever means necessary to keep from asking for help, but I have learned from experience.

I still struggle with asking for or accepting assistance, but I’ve learned to count the cost. It’s silly to injure myself or damage things to spare my pride. Acknowledging my need allows a greater power to be enacted on my behalf, but it requires that I give up all claim to self-sufficiency.

God’s servant, Moses, was entrusted with the gargantuan task of shepherding the nation of Israel through the wilderness to the land of promise. He recognized his limitations right away. In their wandering, God provided heavenly food each day called manna. It didn’t take long for the people to remember the fish and vegetables they ate in Egypt. Some “foreign rabble” traveling among them incited them to complain to Moses and Aaron yet again, demanding meat. Moses took their complaint directly to God, and God organized the solution.

“I can’t carry all these people by myself! The load is far too heavy!”

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Gather before me seventy men who are recognized as elders and leaders of Israel. Bring them to the Tabernacle to stand there with you.

I will come down and talk to you there. I will take some of the Spirit that is upon you, and I will put the Spirit upon them also. They will bear the burden of the people along with you, so you will not have to carry it alone.”

Numbers 11:14, 16-17 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/num.11.14-17.NLT

Jesus chose twelve disciples and sent them out to announce first to Israel the kingdom of heaven is near. He instructed them to “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received! Don’t take any money in your money belts—no gold, silver, or even copper coins.” (Matthew 10:8-9) They were not even to pack a bag, but by faith accept hospitality shown them.

The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus encouraging them in their faith in Jesus by confirming the truth about the power behind their salvation.

“I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him.

This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.”

Ephesians 1:19-20 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.1.19-20.NLT

“One day Jesus left the crowds to pray alone. Only his disciples were with him, and he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”

“Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other ancient prophets risen from the dead.”

Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”

Peter replied, “You are the Messiah sent from God!”

Then Jesus told them, “The Son of Man must suffer many terrible things. He will be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law.

He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.”

Then Jesus said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.

If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it.

But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.

And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?”

Luke 9:18-20, 22-25 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.9.18-22.NLT

Even in this, Jesus carries us.

“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.”

2 Peter 1:3 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/2pe.1.3.NLT

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.11.28-30.NLT

He carries the faithful and the sin-sick alike. No one is beyond His reach. He relentlessly pursues those who wander.

“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do?

Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it?

And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders.”

Luke 15:4-5 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.15.4-5.NLT

Whatever you’ve been asked to carry today can be safely entrusted to the arms of the strong Savior, the gentle Shepherd, the conquering King, Jesus.

Thank You, Lord, that I don’t need to rely on brute strength, nerves of steel, or chance to be certain of salvation and eternity with You.

You’ve told me that You’ve gone to prepare a place for me. (John 14:2) You’ve promised never to leave or forsake me. (Hebrews 13:5) You’ve promised that when everything is ready, you’re coming to get me so I can be with you where you are forever, and I know the Way. (John 14:3-4) You are the Way. I believe You, Jesus.

You personally carried my sins in Your body on the cross so that I can live for You. (1 Peter 2:24) Thank You for bearing the weight of this moment and the next and the next until I stand before You eternally. When it appears that I walk alone, help me to remember, Lord, that You carry me.

In Jesus name I pray.

Amen.