An Overloaded Wagon
Parable by Rosemarie Kowalski
The story is told of a man who
met God in a lovely valley one day. “How are you this morning?” God asked the
fellow. “I’m fine, thank you,” the man replied. “Is there anything I can do for
you today?”
“Yes, there is,” God said. “I
have a wagon with three stones in it, and I need someone to pull it up the hill
for me. Are you willing?
“Yes, I’d love to do something
for you. Those stones don’t look very heavy, and the wagon’s in good shape. I’d
be happy to do that. Where would you like me to take it?”
God gave the man specific
instructions, sketching a map in the dust at the side of the road. “Go through
the woods and up the road that winds up the side of the hill. Once you get to
the top, just leave the wagon there. Thank you for your willingness to help me
today.”
“No problem!” the man replied and
set off cheerfully. The wagon pulled a bit behind him, but the burden was an
easy one. He began to whistle as he walked quickly through the forest. The sun
peeked through the trees and warmed his back. What a joy to be able to help the
Lord, he thought, enjoying the beautiful day.
Just around the third bend, he
walked into a small village. People smiled and greeted him. Then, at the last
house, a man stopped him and asked, “How are you this morning? What a nice
wagon you have. Where are you off to?”
“Well, God gave me a job this
morning, I’m delivering these three stones to the top of the hill.”
“My goodness! Can you believe it?
I was just praying this morning about how I was going to get this rock I have
up to the top of the mountains,” the man told him with great excitement. “You
don’t suppose you could take it up there for me? It would be such an answer to
prayer.”
The man with the wagon smiled and
said, “Of course. I don’t suppose God would mind. Just put it behind the other
three stones.” Then he set off with three stones and a rock rolling behind him.
The wagon seemed a bit heavier.
He could feel the jolt of each bump, and the wagon seemed to pull to one side a
bit. The man stopped to adjust the load as he sang a hymn of praise, pleased to
be helping out a brother as he served God. Then he set off again and soon
reached another small village at the side of the road. A good friend lived
there and offered him a glass of cider.
“You’re going to the top of the hill?” his oldest friend asked.
“Yes! I am so excited. Can you
imagine, God gave me something to do!”
“Hey!” said his friend. “I need
this bag of pebbles taken up. I’ve been so worried that it might not get taken
care of since I haven’t any time to do it myself. But you could fit it in right
between the three stones here in the middle.” With that, he placed his burden
in the wagon.
“Shouldn’t be a problem,” the man
said. “I think I can handle it.” He finished the cider, then stood up and
brushed his hands on his overalls before gripping the handle of the wagon. He
waved goodbye and began to pull the wagon back onto the road.
The wagon was definitely tugging
on his arm now, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. As he started up the incline, he
began to feel the weight of the three stones, the rock, and the pebbles. Still,
it felt good to help a friend. Surely God would be proud of how energetic and
helpful he’d been.
One little stop followed another,
and the wagon grew fuller and fuller. The sun was hot above the man pulling it,
and his shoulders ached with the strain. The songs of praise and thanksgiving
that had filled his heart had long since left his lips as resentment began to
build inside. Surely this wasn’t what he had signed up for that morning. God
had given him a burden heavier than he could bear. The wagon felt huge and
awkward as it lumbered and swayed over the ruts in the road. Frustrated, the
man was beginning to have visions of giving up and letting the wagon roll
backward. God was playing a cruel game with him. The wagon lurched, and the
load of obligations collided with the back of his legs, leaving bruises. “This
is it!” he fumed. “God can’t expect me to haul this all the way up the
mountain.”
“Oh God,” he wailed. “This is too
hard for me! I thought you were behind this trip, but I am overcome by the
heaviness of it. You’ll have to get someone else to do it. I’m just not strong
enough.”
As he prayed, God came to his
side. “Sounds like you’re having a hard time. What’s the problem?”
“You gave me a job that is too
hard for me,” the man sobbed. “I’m just not up to it!” God walked over to where
the wagon was braced with a stone. “What is this?” He held up the bag of
pebbles.
“That belongs to John, my good
friend. He didn’t have time to bring it up himself. I thought I would help.”
“And this?” God tumbled two
pieces of shale over the side of the wagon as the man tried to explain.
God continued to unload the wagon, removing both light and heavy items. They dropped to the ground, the dust swirling up around them. The man who had hoped to help God grew silent. “If you will be content to let others, take their own burdens,” God told him, “I will leave these things lying here.”
“But I promised I would help! I
can’t leave these things lying here.”
“Let others shoulder their own
belongings,” God said gently. “I know you were trying to help, but when you are
weighted down with all these cares, you cannot do what I have asked of you.”
The man jumped to his feet,
suddenly realizing the freedom God was offering. “You mean I only have to take
the three stones after all?” he asked.
“That is what I asked you to do.”
God smiled. “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light. I will never ask you to
carry more than you can bear.”
“I can do that!” said the man,
grinning from ear to ear. He grabbed the wagon handle and set off once again,
leaving the rest of the burdens beside the road. The wagon still lurched and
jolted lightly, but he hardly noticed.
A new song filled his lips, and
he noticed a fragrant breeze wafting over the path. With great joy, he reached
the top of the hill. It had been a wonderful day, for he had done what the Lord
had asked.
Reflection
Christian thought to ponder…
Have you ever felt like this man?
Overburdened, overworked, or taxed beyond your limits. Overloaded wagons can become
wearisome, taxing, and can deflate one’s joy quickly, especially if the burden
is quite heavy. God does not ask us to carry someone else’s burdens that they
refuse to carry, but He has asked us to serve others and help others in their
time of need.
In verse 1 Peter 4:10, it
emphasizes that everyone has unique gifts that we can use to help and serve
others. By using these gifts we have been given, we can serve others within our
communities and be God’s representatives.
Moreover, in the book of Matthew, chapter 11, verses 28-30, it tells us that, if we go to him in our moment of heavy labor and lean on Him, He will give us rest. The burden that rests upon our shoulders will become light. Christ is our Burden Bearer. He will sustain us, and He will give us peace and rest. Go to His feet and seek His will.
Lord,
Our wagons can become so full that we are bogged down, weary,
and tired. The burden has become so heavy we can no longer pull the wagon up
the hill. Help us to remember that you will sustain us, you will never let us
slip and fall, and you will give us rest. Refresh our spirits, fill us with Your
joy and with Your peace and Your strength. Help us to know when to say “no” and
do only what you have called us to do. Help us to seek You in all things and keep
our eyes fixed on you. Thank you for being our Burden Bearer. We love you and
we need you every day.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
