He's Got the Whole World in His Hands...

With a lot going on in our family this week, I've been thinking about how easy it is to think that we have to hold the world up on our shoulders.  Pressures weigh us down and we think we have to keep it all together. These images of Atlas depicted holding the world on his back show agony and fatigue. 

 But then there is this image below of Jesus holding a sheep on his shoulders. There is not any sense of agony in this statue- but there is a playfulness there of him giving this animal a piggy back ride.  There is comfort knowing that the shepherd has the best interests of the sheep in mind.  

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,  he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right path for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil,    for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me  in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil;   my cup overflows.  Surely your goodness and love will follow me  all the days of my life,  and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23 

This is how I want to view my life- not with the weight of the world on my back, but with me riding on the back of my shepherd- knowing that I am in His hands.  

The joy on this little boy's face is in sharp contrast to the picture of Atlas above. 

May you both have a sense freedom 

as you lay your burdens down 

and may you know that He's got you in His hands....