We toiled ever upward. My left knee, strapped in fluorescent
orange kinetic tape, was beginning to complain and soon the right knee, in
perfect shape I’d thought, was harmonising the pain. Every step elicited a
sharp pain and I could sense the swelling.
The path narrowed and the rucksack, heavy but manageable,
gave me an alarming sense of insecurity. The path fell away sharply towards a
lively burn, twenty feet below.
‘I’m sure it must be beautiful here,’ Don remarked. ‘Yes,’ I
agreed, ‘but I can’t look. If I trip on a root I’ll never be able to regain my
balance.’
It was the first day of our Camino and the arduous path took
us over the Pyrenees by Charlemagne’s route. Rain fell steadily as we plodded
doggedly onwards and upwards, upwards, ever upwards.
Life can weigh heavily on us. Pain demands our attention. The
burdens we carry so easily unbalance us, causing us to focus on our path and
miss the beauty of the moment.
Jesus invites us to come to him, to give him our burdens. He
promises to take the strain, the weight, so that we can partner with him on the
journey through life and not miss the beauty.
It’s hard to slip the rucksack of responsibilities off, though,
without feeling guilty. Without picking it up again.
Here it is again, Lord Jesus. Thank you for taking the
strain.
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