This is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. (1 John 5:3–4)
Expanded Passage: 1 John 5:1-13
When I was a child, I was told the story of a young girl who owned a large potato sack. Every day she went out into the world, gathered rocks, and put them in her sack. Soon the sack was so heavy she could barely walk. One day an old man saw her crying by the side of the road. He stopped and asked, “Why are you sitting by the roadside crying?” “Because my burden is too heavy and I am too tired to walk,” she answered. “Then take out some of the rocks,” the man replied.
Isn’t that how we are? Sometimes the answers are right before our eyes, but we miss them because we are focused on the wrong thing. Often we move through life gathering rocks, carrying burdens that are not ours to carry. God is clear in this passage. If we change our focus, if we obey God’s commands and keep our eyes focused on Jesus, our burdens become light.
What rocks are you gathering? What resentments, worries, and bitter roots are you placing in your potato sack? Does each day get harder and your heart heavier? If you’re struggling with your load, then take out some of the heaviest rocks, the ones you’ve carried the longest. Focus on Jesus and see how much lighter you feel.
Ask God how to begin laying down your burdens.
M. Norman previously served as a writer for Light from the Word.
© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
