Laying Down Your Burden

While Pilgrim’s Progress may be seen by some as a simple story written at the level of a child, the truth is that this book, written when Bunyan was imprisoned for his faith, became a bestselling book. In fact, by some estimates it is the second bestselling book of all time after the Bible.

If this is so, why? I have been blessed by the book and taught the book in college classes, and I have seen firsthand that it speaks truth to the journey of many Christians. The burden of our sin is heavy. And the release we find at the cross is one of the most freeing experiences we can ever have.

An exercise I have found instructive is to find something heavy, like a bag of potatoes, a backpack, or a stack of books. Walk down the hall and back (or even around the house) carrying it. As you walk:

Think of the heavy item as your sins you are carrying.

Ask, what specific sins do you still carry, even though God has removed them from you as far as the east is from the west?

Name these sins you still carry, even if only from time to time.

Let Jesus be a table, and unload your burden onto Jesus.

Then walk slowly down the hall and back (or around the house) again.

Notice how much easier it is to walk.

Then come back to Jesus (the table) and thank Jesus for carrying your burdens, so that you no longer have to carry them, ever.

Then take the walk again, imagining Jesus right beside you as you walk without the burden. Notice how this feels when the weight has been lifted.

Take a few moments to write about your experience and insights from this exercise.