By Dr. Rebekah McCloud
One day, two monks set out for a temple. They came to a stream that they needed to cross. Standing by the banks was a beautiful young woman who wanted to cross without getting muddy and wet.
Without thinking twice, the elder monk gestured to the woman that he would pick her up; she agreed. He put her over his shoulder and waded across to the other side. The younger monk was perplexed; yet he followed in silence.
When they reached the other side of the bank, the elder monk put the woman down. She thanked him and walked on. As the monks continued on their journey, the younger monk could no longer remain silent. He asked, “How could you do that? We aren’t even supposed to make eye contact with women, let alone pick them up and carry them!”
The elder monk turned to the younger and said, “Oh, are you still carrying her? I put her down when I reached the other side of the stream.”[1]
Are we like the elder monk or the younger monk? Do we carry things or do we put them down? God has equipped us to lay aside every weight and sin that so easily besets us. Yes, I know this is easier said than done. So, my question to all of us is, what are we still carrying?
We all have past hurts. No one is immune to that. But, do we deal with them as victims or victors? Do we hold on to them like white on rice, like cold on ice, or like a dog on a bone, or do we release them? Colossians 3:13 says, “Don’t be angry with each other, but forgive each other. If you feel someone has wronged you, forgive them. Forgive others because the Lord forgave you.” Past hurts—are we still carrying that?
We’ve all lost things in our lives. Be it a loved one, a job, money, status, possessions, you name it; we’ve all lost. But, how do we deal with the loss? Are our lives filled with drama? Do we have frequent pity parties? Are whining and moaning our middle names? Do we wallow in it, or do we listen to Robert Frost who said, “the best way out is always through?” The Bible says in Isaiah 61:3, the Lord will give us beauty for our ashes. Past losses—are we still carrying that?
We have all been disappointed. And, if we keep living, we’ll be disappointed again and again and again. But how do we react to the disappointment? Do we dig in our heels, do we act hard as nails, do we adopt a stiff upper lip, are we are as spiteful as a wet cat? Or, do we take the high road and say like Esther, “if I perish, let me perish?” Or do we say like Caleb, “we are well able to overcome?” Or do we say like Joshua, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord?” Disappointment—are we still carrying that?
We have all been afraid. Whether it is health issues, family issues, new job, new marriage, new adventures or the future; these things sometimes frighten us. How do we deal with the fear? Do we run and hide? Do we scream and holler? Or do we go mute and lame like the women in the horror movies? Or do we call on the name of the Lord, our refuge and strength, and a very present help in a time of trouble?
Depending on the version of the Bible, the words “fear not” and similar phrases can be found over 300 times.
- Deuteronomy 31:6, says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
- 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
These familiar scriptures give us encouragement about our father and his plans for us. But let me ask you, fear—are we still carrying that?
We are stewards and we are kingdom people. No matter our past hurts, our past loses, our past disappointments, or our past fears,
- Psalm 73:26 tells us that “God is my source of strength. He is mine forever!” and
- Haggi 2:9 promises that our latter days will be greater than our former days. Amen, what a promise!
Let go and let God; let God have his way. Let’s get ready to be used by him. When the Lord looks for someone who will stand in the gap on behalf of the land, I don’t want him to find no one. And I don’t want him to ask me, are you still carrying that? I want to be able to say, here I am Lord, use me. Amen.
[1] Adapted from James, A. (n.d.). Letting Go of the Past – A Story of Two Monks and a Maiden https://www.pocketmindfulness.com/letting-go-of-the-past/.
3/11/18