Lifted

Inspired by Psalm 103:1-5

My back ached as I picked up my knapsack, stunned by the weight of the burdens it held. I trudged up the steep hill, striving forward under the load.

valley littered with garbage and rocks

I crested the peak and saw below me a valley ravaged by sin - littered with broken, brittle shards. lives crushed by heavy weights of guilt. The sight repulsed me.

I hoisted my knapsack and hurled it into the abyss. It flew out over the valley before landing among the other bags, where crushed hopes, ravaged grief and unfulfilled expectations lay exposed.

I cried at the sight of my burdens mingling with those of the world. In the shadow of hopelessness, my eye detected a flash.

A silvery thread of light appeared through the darkness, bringing a glow that spread across the valley, illuminating all that lay below.

Then I heard a voice - As powerful as the wind, coming from above - A clap of holy thunder, shouting,

“Come to Me, all who are heavy laden and I will give you rest!”

I cowered at the sound echoing across the valley. I looked around and saw I was no longer alone.

For thousands upon thousands surrounded me and still more came-heaving their bags into the crater. When the last one fell, the voice spoke again.

“Cast all your burdens on him, for he cares for you.”

Collectively, we fell to our knees before the Presence, faces to the ground, confessing our sins, until the last person grew silent.

A hush settled over us, as we waited, eyes closed, hands open, hearts rendered. I heard a gasp, then another and another.

My eyelids flew open and beheld the valley before me. It lay empty, save for a cross, worn and battered by time.

I heard a voice, then another and another until a cacophony of voices rose around me, swelling, rolling like an untamed ocean, the sound of the saints singing as one -

“Holy holy holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is and is to come. “

“Bless the LORD, O my soul; all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all His kind deeds— He who forgives all your iniquities and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit and crowns you with loving devotion and compassion, who satisfies you with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s”. Psalm 103:1-5 ESV