Have you ever struggled financially? Brad reminds us how Jesus did not acquire debt of his own accord, yet he paid a debt for us!
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Worn Out Shoes
Something most of us encounter each and every day is our wallet. Whether we’re grabbing a quick coffee at the drive-thru on our way to work, filling the car up with gas, or stopping by the grocery store on the way home to pick up a few things, we’re quite often pulling out our wallet at various times throughout the day.
The Capitol One commercial puts forward the question “what’s in your wallet?”. Of course, a wallet today, void of any cash, bears little indication of our financial state. Most folks are carrying around very little these days, in terms of actual dollars…. but our wallets are a conduit to our bank account. If you are experiencing, or ever have experienced a time when funds were low, it can be a heavy burden, and a burden that can take its toll in many ways.
I noticed just the other day that the shoes I was wearing, were beginning to separate at the front. They certainly weren’t expensive shoes; not even real leather, just something with a fairly solid base, to wear when the weather gets a bit messy. I haven’t owned them for long… less than a year, and I haven’t worn them all that much. Initially, upon seeing the shoe coming apart, I thought oh well, I’ll toss them and get another pair, something similar…. when I’m in town again. But then I had a flashback to several years ago, and it was good to be reminded of that time and those circumstances.
Going back to when our kids were young, I remember on more than one occasion, when I actually did mend a few shoes out of sheer necessity. There were times when there were more $$ going out each month, then what was coming in. It’s quite easy to run a budget free household… when you’re not keeping a close eye on the bottom line! A home renovation, an extra vacation, unexpected repairs, you can soon spend your way into a situation that is difficult to remedy.
Jesus Takes Our Burdens
A financial situation can easily go from bad to worse before the flashing lights send a clear signal that there’s trouble around the corner.Some of the greatest challenges we face, not just as Christians, but in general…are brought about by financial burdens. But Jesus tells us to “cast our cares, our burdens upon him.” Come unto me all ye that are weak and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Jesus takes all our burdens, and that includes the burdens of mis-managed finances. He doesn’t make it all go away, instantly, but he helps us see a clear and honest path, and his hand guides us and reassures us along the way.
The hymn writer says, “Jesus knows all about our struggles;
He will guide ’til the day is done:
There’s not a Friend like the lowly Jesus: No, not one! no, not one!
A mountain of debt doesn’t disappear overnight. We will continue to have to deal with the bills and bill collectors. If we’ve spent considerable time chalking up the expenses, we will, of course, need to do our due diligence, working hard to pay down… pay back what we owe.
Taking the burden before the Lord, however, as with all things, will fill us with the strength to face the challenge. The ability to soldier on, with a soldier’s resolve, enabling us over time, to remedy an oppressive financial burden.
He Paid A Debt
Jesus did not acquire debt associated with any monetary value. He did not put stock and value in the trinkets and gadgets that we so often invest such great amounts of time and money in. His love, his focus, his energy was set on doing the fathers will. His mission was to seek out the lost and to save to the uttermost. Jesus as we know, led a meager life, in terms of any storehouse of earthly possessions.
Jesus own words in Luke’s gospel declared, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.”
Jesus did not acquire debt of his own accord, yet the greatest debt of all was placed upon him. “Oh the mighty gulf that God did span, at Calvary”
As I take a few moments to reflect on difficult financial times, and how the Lord blessed, and brought sunshine after the rain, I’m reminded of how much we can grow, in our walk with the Lord…in times of adversity.
I am thankful, that a worn shoe, can give glory to God.
It is wise to take moments to walk in the past, to appreciate times of great deliverance. It nurtures an overall spirit of praise, and gives as well, an ability, borne out of experience, to help another who might be struggling in a similar way.
1st Cor 3:7 says “So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” Typically a salvation verse, but we apply it as well to exhortation. As we sew the seeds of encouragement in an area we’ve had past experience, or water a weary soul with loving exhortation, we can trust that God will bring the increase…the healing…the deliverance, from any burden, any debt, any pain, any ill. “God is always our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Brad Hewey
Brad offers up practical, scriptural advice from a perspective borne out of everyday life encounters. As we live and move and have our being…it’s the individual life lessons that most often present the greatest challenges, but can yield the richest blessings. We’ve all, as Christians had those faith-affirming moments, where we’ve had an overwhelming sense of God’s spirit, or his very presence “at a particular but, maybe random time”.
Brad was born and still resides in a small community in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, where he and his wife Karen raised their 3 children. Brad & Karen fellowship at the Greenland Bible Chapel, where Brad serves as an elder.
Brad loves meeting and engaging with people. His background in sales has provided opportunities to travel throughout the US and Canada, networking with people from all walks of life. Brad is a singer/songwriter and has recorded 3 Christian albums. Songs from his “Brighter Day” release, have aired on Christian Radio stations across Canada and two of Brad’s albums are on HopeStreamRadio’s playlist.
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