A saying that is common amongst Christians going through a difficult time is the phrase to “leave it at the foot of the cross”, which is derived from some translations of the verse above. I would often ponder about this phrase and picture myself wrapping all my worries up into a ball, silently approach the cross and solemnly place the bundle down at its foot. Softly step back and feel slightly guilty for laying down yet another ball of issues for our beautiful Saviour to once again sort out for me. 

Every day on my short commute to work, I pass by this beautiful old graveyard. I look at the headstones, keeping a keen eye out for the older, elaborate markers. One morning whilst praying on my way to work, I was giving over yet another bundle of worry when my eye caught a gravestone in the shape of a cross, and I was like, “yes, that is where I take my cares.” 

Then just like that, the Holy Spirit interrupted my thoughts and convicted my heart. This is not what it means to hand cares over to the Lord! Firstly, Jesus isn’t in a grave, and the cross no longer represents His death, but rather the death of sin and hope of life through our Risen King. Secondly, not only is He alive, but He is active! If we take our cares to Him, we don’t lay them on the ground before him like flowers on a grave. No, we hand them to Him and He reaches out and takes them from us. Finally, we aren’t told to just hand them over, we are instructed to cast them, to give it over quickly, and I imagine it works even if we are standing a bit away. It is this dynamic movement, this active interaction between us and our Saviour that should give us hope in trials and fill us with the peace.

Dear reader, today when you hand something over to another person, take note of how we humans instinctively reach out and take it. How much more so when taken by our Lord who loves and cares for us more than we could ever comprehend. And above all else, actually wants our bundles of worry.

“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 NKJV