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“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

As followers of Jesus Christ, we have given over our heavy yoke of sin to Him—trading our burden for His light yoke of righteousness (Galatians 5:1). This exchange is one of the many amazing joys of salvation (admitting our sin, repenting, and surrendering to the Lord).

So, as the world around us becomes darker and more evil—truly spiritually heavier—we must be intentional about what weight we’re going to carry. Even though we have relinquished our burden of sin to the Lord, and we are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), we are still carrying this body of sin (as the Apostle Paul beautifully describes in Romans 7). In other words, until we are in our glorified body, our new nature will be battling against our flesh. If that wasn’t enough, because we’re still in the world, we also battle against the enemy—Satan—as this world is his temporary dominion (Ephesians 6:12). He makes valiant efforts every day to keep unbelievers separated from God and believers living outside of God’s will.

The weight of the world is heavy, friend. And it’s only going to get darker and heavier—the Bible makes that very clear. (Don’t fret! We know how it all ends—we win!) In the meantime, we have a choice about which weight we carry through this life (until He takes us Home by rapture or death). What is our choice?

We can carry the weight of the world, or we can carry the weight of the Word.

Do you wake up each morning to open up your phone and check the news or see how many likes you gained overnight on your social media platforms? Or do you grab a cup of coffee or tea and open up God’s Word to learn more about Him and how you are to walk through this world as His follower? Does the political and cultural chaos and “upside-down-ness” create anxiety and anger—able to ruin your day with one headline? Or do you meditate on what the Bible has to say, experiencing conviction to realign your life or gain a deeper understanding of Truth? Do your daily conversations stir up divisiveness? Or do you speak Truth with others, reflecting the grace, mercy, and forgiveness of Jesus?

Yes, as believers, we have given our heavy yoke of sin and eternal death to Jesus…but we must all carry a weight while we are on our way to heaven. The weight of the world is depressing, dividing, anger-provoking, destructive. Yet, so many of us make a daily decision to pick it up each morning. The weight of the Word, however, is only and always for our good. Although it can be sharp and painful at times (as we all need some redirection and conviction regularly), God’s Word brings guidance, joy, peace, and hope.

Choose this day which weight you’ll carry. One is meant to destroy you, the other brings light and life (Psalm 119). So, pick up your Bible and choose freedom (John 8:32; James 1:25).

Lord, forgive me for taking my attention off of You and Your Truth to focus on the heaviness of the world. Every day, let me seek You first—and all day—carrying Your word, not the world.

For His Glory,

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life