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Prayer Request - Come - I'm Not Sure What I Believe
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Prayer Request
I’m Not Sure What I Believe
Come
Matt 11:28
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] AMP
The word laden means ‘to take a load.’ Someone that is ‘heavy laden’ is carrying a heavy load. So many people are carrying such a heavy load that if I didn’t trust God, I’d be also carrying a heavy load on their behalf. Some have good reasons for the weight that is causing their shoulders to sag with the burden. Maybe tragedy has marred them in such a way that only spiritual intervention can refresh their souls. Others are a magnet for burdens and spend their life seeking one more burden to pile on their aching backs. Regardless of the source and validity of the heavy load, the only lasting answer for relief is to come to Jesus.
I first talked to brown eyed brown haired fresh faced 18 year old Charlene when I called to make my campground reservation. I had a mechanical problem and she was quick to offer me resources to solve my problem. When I arrived, I thanked her for her helpfulness. Nothing in her countenance revealed the burden I later found she was carrying.
After setting Halleluiah up, I stopped back by the campground office to ask about churches. “Do you have any suggestions for church tomorrow?” I asked Charlene.
“We have a book,” she said cheerfully as she handed me a book that listed churches.
I scanned the book and saw 6 churches. They were the usual – Baptist, non-denominational, Presbyterian, Catholic, Methodist, and Episcopalian. “Is there one you like?” I asked.
“Well,” she said. “I’ve been to the non-denominational. I guess it was OK.”
“You don’t go to church?” I probed.
“No,” she said. “I’m not sure what I believe.” She paused a minute and tears briefly glistened in her eyes. Her expression changed from cheerful to haunted. “Something awful happened to me. I just don’t know what I believe any more.” Immediately, the pain disappeared and I wondered if I’d imagined the depths.
“I’m so sorry,” I said. “Would you like to go with me to church tomorrow?”
“No,” she said firmly. “I don’t believe that way.” She smiled and closed the brief door to intimacy.
I wasn’t ready for the door to be closed. “I see your name is Charlene. I have a close friend with that same name. She gave me this bracelet.” I showed her the bracelet that says ‘I am always with you.’ “I wear this to remind me that God is always with me, no matter what happens.”
“That’s nice,” she said with a friendly smile. The conversation was over. I went back to the office several times but only the happy cheerful face would communicate with me. That brief glimpse into her soul haunted me and I did the only thing I know to do when people offer me their burdens – I prayed.
The next morning, I went to the Baptist Church. I chose them because they offered an early morning Bible Study as well as a worship service. I told the pastor about Charlene.
“She is only 18,” I said. “She said something awful happened to her this year. She is about to go off to college. She still has the soft look of innocence but I’m terrified for her to be going off to college carrying so much pain.”
“I’ll stop by the campground this week,” the pastor promised. “I’ll see if she will talk to me.”
As I drove out of town, I still couldn’t get Charlene off my mind. I knew that meant I had to do one more thing. I stopped back by the campground but she wasn’t at work. I left her a copy of my book. In it I wrote, ‘I’m sorry something awful happened to you. I know you aren’t sure what you believe but God believes in you. I’ve asked the Baptist Church to pray for you. May your pockets be filled with love for God.’
When I got back to my car, I checked the e-mail on my phone. I already had an e-mail message from the pastor assuring me that he would stop by the campground. My burden was lifted and my soul was refreshed. Charlene was in God’s hands. I offer you the burden of praying for Charlene.
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