Equipped to Carry the Burden

Excitement turns to dread. Anticipation turns to fear. What happened? Is this a sign that I am heading in the wrong direction? No! It could be that my commitment to carry a burden is being tested. Throughout our journey with Christ, the Spirit gives us burdens to bear for others. This year six of us are carrying our burden to East Asia. Sometimes our burden bearing turns to a battle and we can second guess our calling. But in reality, we are just getting closer to understanding the depth of the burden.

Listen to what Streams in the Desert says...
"The time of testing that distinguishes and greatly enriches a person's spiritual career is not an ordinary one but a period when it seems as if all hell were set loose. It is a time when we realize our soul is caught in a net, and we know God is allowing us to be gripped by the devil's hand. Yet it is a period that always ends in certain triumph for those who have committed the keeping of their souls to God. And the testing "later on...produces a harvest of righteousness and peace." Hebrews 12:11

Right after Jesus was baptized and the Spirit descended upon him as a dove and God's voice confirmed his identity for all present to hear, Jesus was led out into the desert of testing. I think Mark 1:9-13 is too brief in description of this glorious event. We can read right over it without noticing the majesty of all three persons of the Trinity being present. We are baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. So many times we've heard that phrase that maybe we don't hear it. However, if we see with clarity what is happening when we are baptized allow ourselves to feel the Spirit descending upon us, we just might recognize it as equipping.

This quote by George Matheson is referring to that passage in Mark. "Nothing but the Son's vision can equip you to carry the Spirit's burden, and only the glory of the baptism can withstand the hunger of the desert."

What was Jesus' vision for the world he came to save? Can I go out today and love people in my world like that? Am I allowing myself to be equipped to carry His burden?