A couple of milestones to praise God for this week. August 11 marked one year of engagement for Zach and Megan. And God willing, Megan celebrates her birthday tomorrow. God continues to carry Megan and Zach. So, the theme for today is: Carry.

Running for Zach. Our theme passage of Hebrews 12:1-3 reminds us to “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” The New King James Version renders it “let us lay aside every weight.” We are not called to carry weight in the race God has marked out for us. Throw off everything. Carry nothing. We don’t carry. God does.

God carries us. He won’t drop us. Nothing is too heavy for him. Not our problems. Not our circumstances. Not our trials. Not our sufferings. He can handle all the weight that’s been added to our lives. He can handle all the weight all the time.

The Lord carries us day and night. We can ask for it. We can expect it. We can see it. We can suffer much. Pain, tears, trials, sin, struggles, depression, anger, addiction, anxiety, worry, fear, and…the list goes on. And on. But none of those mean that the Lord stops carrying us. God won’t stop carrying us. He can’t. It’s not His nature to drop us. It’s in His nature to carry us. Always.

Jesus said, “And surely I am with you ALWAYS, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20, my emphasis added). Jesus always carries us. His Spirit dwells in us. We are renewed. We feel refreshed. We can be resilient. We can refuse to give up. We can run! Zach can run!

He is carrying us right now. He will carry us tomorrow. His carrying hands will hold us. His carrying hands will help us. His carrying hands will be over us and protect us.

So, do a big purge. Throw off the weight and give it to Jesus. We don’t carry. He does. Run weight free. Jesus is the load bearer. Jesus is the weight carrier. He will carry us and get us to the finish line.

Today’s Updates:

Zach was transferred to Foothills Hospital in their neurological rehabilitation ward this afternoon! Praise God for this step in Zach’s treatment. He remained calm throughout the transfer and was in a good mood once he was settled in his new room. Zach has been blessed with a spacious private room on the ward. Please pray for the care team here as they get to know Zach and make a care plan for him. Pray that his treatments and therapies will be effective and that God will bless Zach’s stay on the neuro rehab ward and allow his brain to recover more.

Please continue to pray for peace, perseverance, and healing for Zach on his long journey. Zach’s energy and blood pressure have improved since the weekend, which we thank God for. Pray that Zach will continue to have the energy he needs for his treatments and healing. Pray that Zach will have patience, especially as communication is still a struggle for him. Pray that we will be able to understand Zach through his limited methods of communication and pray that God will allow him to communicate more and use his voice again. Thank you for your continued prayers and support. Please continue to keep Zach and his recovery in your prayers.

“He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” (Isaiah 40:11)

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” (Isaiah 46:4)