We Can’t Carry the Burdens of the World
Reflecting on the turbulence of this past year, I recounted many times I have become frustrated or confused by how responses to circumstances we have no control over can affect us. No doubt there have been tragic events we have all heard about or witnessed. We feel a burden to carry these events and have an appropriate response to them-we do not want to say the wrong thing and risk upsetting anyone. During this time of reflection, I came across a quote from a pastor in Texas I felt was insightful:
Could it be that God didn’t wire us to carry every event, taking place in every part of the world, at every moment, as if it were ours? Could it be that technology has produced a faux omniscience and omnipresence that is hurting mankind and not helping it?
With the advent of technology and the internet we are able to “witness” events unfold around the world in real time. We hear a soundbite, or see a quick clip on the news and believe we know exactly what happened; because we “saw” the event we believe we know the truth and details of the event-we make snap judgments about what occurred. It used to be we read the newspaper in the morning, got caught up in local/world events, then moved on with our day. Nowadays, we are connected to our devices all day long: Text alerts, WhatsApp alerts, PulsePoint alerts, e-mail alerts, breaking news alerts, 24hr never ending news cycle-the list goes on and on.
Only one person was made to carry the burdens of the world… Jesus Christ.
We should feel empathy towards others. We should seek truth. We should seek knowledge-and more importantly-wisdom (how we apply knowledge).
A quote by Harry Drummond in the 1960 movie, Inherit the Wind, is appropriate regarding technology:
Progress has never been a bargain. You have to pay for it. Sometimes I think there's a man who sits behind a counter and says, “All right, you can have a telephone, but you lose privacy and the charm of distance. Madam, you may vote but at a price. You lose the right to retreat behind the powder puff or your petticoat. Mister, you may conquer the air, but the birds will lose their wonder and the clouds will smell of gasoline.”
With the constant barrage of information and alerts we face each day, we lose some of our peace. This peace is gained in Christ. He says in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” We were not created to face every tragedy as if it were our own. There is a cost to being plugged in all of the time. The cost of technology and the internet comes at the price of our souls. This is not to say we shouldn’t help others and care about events unfolding around us. Simply, we must handle what we can and take care of those around us.
We need to prioritize our health and spiritual growth. Unplug from the internet at some point each day. Ensure that we are in the Word every day and praying for others. Pray for discernment (Psalm 119:66, Phil 1:9) and where you can shoulder other people’s burdens-find people who can help you carry yours.
Most importantly, give thanks to Christ who came to carry our burdens. He alone can carry the burdens of the world. We need to thank Him for His sacrifice to us. Cast your fears on Him (1 Peter 5:7). He encourages believers and non-believers alike in Matthew 11:28-29, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yolk is easy and My burden is light.”