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Thursday, March 01, 2012

Casting our Cares

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First Peter 5:7 reads; “Cast all your cares on him because he cares for you!” Psalm 55:22 says; “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you…” Jesus himself encouraged; “Do not worry…” (Matthew 6:25) Sounds good; but we all know it’s not as easy as it sounds.
I have said many times, “When you have a relationship with Jesus, you have a friend who carries you through the toughest of times, and the worst of problems.” This is a true statement. But again, it sounds easier than it is. We are a worrying people. We cast our cares and may even feel a little better for a short time. But then we start thinking about our troubles and before long, we’re worrying again!
There is a world famous print which usually plasters the walls of Christian bookstores. The print shows footprints in the sand with this story: “A man dreamed that he and Jesus went for a walk along the beach. Together they reviewed his life. For most of his life, the man could see two sets of footprints. But, when he came to his toughest problems in life there was only one set of footprints. So he said to Jesus, when things got rough you left me and I had to go through the tough times alone. Then Jesus explained what really happened. Jesus said there is only one set of footsteps during the tough times because Jesus Himself carried the man through it.”
I can easily identify with the man in the story. Walking with Jesus; casting all our burdens on Him; does not come natural. We have a tendency to take our problems on without Him; on our own effort; on our own energy. And as we all have experienced, that usually leads to worry.
I have no problem telling others to cast their care. From my first day within the ministry of Lincoln Christian, we have constantly had someone in our church family searching for a new job. This is a big place with many people and someone is always without employment. We have had people laid off, fired, downsized, or their place of work close its doors. The elders and I have sent up many prayers for individuals who were between jobs. And I have many times looked into the face of some concerned people. Truth be told, if I had been in

their shoes, I too would have had some big concerns.
And so I encouraged; “God is faithful…cast your cares on him…he cares for you!” Easily said! Not always easily followed.
And yet, God has never failed to be faithful to me or them. I have many times heard the happiness in a voice as they announce “I have a new job!” I have witnessed the joy in their smile as they share, “I’m employed again.” I have seen all these job lost situations turn around and our people get new work. Sure enough, they have all been cared for again and again. When encouraging you to trust God and give him some time, I have all the faith in the world that he will come through. He always has, he always will!
But when it comes to my problems; when it comes to my troubles, why do I have such a difficult time casting my cares. “Cast all your care on him because he cares for you.” I believe that. I teach that! But boy; is that hard to do.
I have not discovered any formulas that make this easier. I have no easy to follow five step programs or an easy to remember acrostic. I just have Jesus and his promise. And so today, I make up my mind, I’m not going to worry. I’m going to cast ALL my cares on him, because he cares for me!
Boy…this really isn’t easy!
[Ron Otto, Lincoln Christian Church]

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