Feeling The Weight of the World? Let Jesus Carry Your Burdens

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Colossians 3:1-4

Ah, beloved in Christ, let us together draw near to the wellspring of life, the very heart of God’s grace, as we ponder this profound and transformative passage. It speaks to the core of our identity in Christ, a truth so rich and deep that it deserves not just a cursory glance, but a lingering embrace, a thorough exploration that allows its light to permeate the very fabric of our being.

The passage begins with a gentle yet powerful encouragement: “Beloved, the more you grow in your revelation and valuation of how Jesus’ finished work has placed you in Him—in the secret place where you are safe, protected, and secure—the more you’ll find your heart at rest instead of filled with worry and fears.” Oh, how these words resonate with the deepest longings of the human spirit! In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, a world that bombards us with anxieties and whispers of fear, the promise of a “secret place” in Christ offers an anchor for our souls, a sanctuary where true peace can take root and flourish.

Consider the weight of those words: “Jesus’ finished work.” It is not a work in progress, not a partial offering, but a complete and perfect accomplishment. On the cross, our Lord and Savior bore the full weight of sin, the entirety of God’s righteous judgment, and emerged victorious, shattering the chains that bound us and ushering us into a new reality. This finished work is the very foundation upon which our placement “in Him” rests. It is not something we strive for or earn through our own efforts, but a gift, freely and lavishly bestowed upon us through faith.

To be “in Him” is not merely a theological concept; it is a profound spiritual reality. It speaks of an intimate union, a mystical joining with Christ where His life becomes our life, His righteousness our righteousness, His victory our victory. Just as a branch is inseparable from the vine, drawing its life and sustenance from it, so too are we, as believers, intrinsically connected to Christ. In Him, we find our true identity, our purpose, and our belonging.

And where does this union place us? In “the secret place where you are safe, protected, and secure.” This “secret place” is not a physical location hidden from the world, but a spiritual realm, a dimension of God’s presence that envelops us when we are in Christ. It speaks of an intimacy with the Father, a closeness that transcends earthly understanding. Think of the Psalmist’s words in Psalm 91:1, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” This is the same¹ secret place, a dwelling in God’s nearness where His love shields us, His power defends us, and His peace guards our hearts and minds.

The passage wisely connects the growth in our “revelation and valuation” of this truth with the experience of a heart at rest. Revelation speaks to the unveiling, the deeper understanding of what it truly means to be in Christ. It is not just knowing the words, but experiencing the reality through the illumination of the Holy Spirit. Valuation, on the other hand, speaks to the esteem we hold for this truth. Do we treat our union with Christ as a precious treasure, something of immeasurable worth? Or do we allow the cares of the world to dim its significance in our eyes?

The more we grasp the profound implications of being in Christ – the safety, the protection, the unwavering security – the more our hearts will naturally gravitate towards rest. Worry and fear thrive in an environment of uncertainty and perceived lack. But when we are anchored in the unshakeable reality of our position in Christ, sheltered in the secret place of the Father’s love, the anxieties that once plagued us begin to lose their grip. Our hearts find solace in the knowledge that we are not alone, that we are held by a love that never fails.

The passage continues with a powerful observation: “Something powerful happens in your heart and in your outward circumstances when you begin to value being in Christ, in the secret place of the Father’s care, protection, and love.” This is a crucial point. Our understanding and appreciation of our identity in Christ are not merely abstract theological exercises; they have tangible effects on our inner being and the world around us.

When we truly value our position in Christ, it transforms our hearts. It cultivates a deep sense of peace that transcends understanding, a quiet confidence that anchors us amidst life’s storms. This inner transformation inevitably spills over into our outward circumstances. Our perspective shifts, our responses change, and we begin to see God’s hand at work in ways we may not have noticed before. We approach challenges with a different posture, not one of fear and desperation, but one of faith and expectation, knowing that we are under the watchful care of a loving Father.

To illustrate this vital concept of valuation, the passage offers a compelling analogy: “Suppose I brought you an old, dusty violin with two missing strings and I said to you, ‘Isn’t this beautiful?’ Your reaction would probably be, ‘That’s not beautiful; that’s old and worthless.'” This resonates deeply, doesn’t it? On the surface, the violin appears to be nothing special, perhaps even undesirable. Its outward appearance gives no indication of any inherent worth.

“But if I told you it’s an original Stradivarius that used to belong to a world-famous violinist, all of a sudden, your appreciation of this dusty, old violin would swell and you’d ask if you could hold it. What happened? Your appreciation of the violin changed when you understood its true value.” This simple yet profound illustration beautifully captures the essence of the point. The physical appearance of the violin remained the same, but the revelation of its history, its origin, and its connection to something of great significance dramatically altered its perceived value.

In the same way, the passage urges us: “I want to encourage you to value the preciousness of what it means to be in Christ—being in the secret place of inseparable closeness with Him, where we have His loving presence constantly with us, watching over us and protecting us.” We may sometimes feel like that dusty, old violin – flawed, imperfect, perhaps even feeling worthless in our own eyes. But the truth, the glorious revelation, is that in Christ, we are not defined by our imperfections but by our union with the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords. We are partakers of His divine nature, recipients of His boundless love and grace.

This “inseparable closeness” with Him is not a distant ideal but a present reality. Through the Holy Spirit, God’s very presence dwells within us. We are never truly alone; He is always with us, His eyes are ever upon us, and His loving arms are always around us. This constant presence is the hallmark of the secret place, the assurance of His unwavering care and protection.

The passage then offers practical guidance on how to cultivate this deeper valuation: “I strongly encourage you to keep hearing anointed preaching that keeps revealing who you are and what you have in Christ. Keep hearing grace-based teachings on God’s promises to protect you, as well as praise reports of God’s grace and protection over His people.” This is vital for our spiritual growth and the strengthening of our faith.

Anointed preaching is not merely the eloquent delivery of biblical information, but the Spirit-empowered communication of God’s Word that brings revelation and understanding to our hearts. When we consistently expose ourselves to such preaching, the truths of our identity in Christ are reinforced, and the eyes of our understanding are enlightened. We begin to see ourselves not through the lens of our own limitations but through the lens of God’s boundless love and grace.

Grace-based teachings focus on the unmerited favor of God, the reality that His blessings and protection are not earned by our performance but freely given through our faith in Christ. Hearing these promises of protection reminds us of the Father’s lovingkindness and strengthens our confidence in His ability to keep us safe.

Furthermore, the encouragement to listen to “praise reports of God’s grace and protection over His people” is incredibly powerful. When we hear how God has intervened in the lives of others, how He has delivered them from danger and showered them with His favor, it builds our own faith and expectation. It reminds us that the same God who worked in their lives is also at work in ours.

The passage concludes with a clear explanation of the purpose behind this encouragement: “Why? Because as you do, you’ll begin to value being in the secret place more and more. As you do, you’ll find your heart and mind more and more at rest in Him.” This is the beautiful cycle of faith: as we deepen our understanding and appreciation of our identity and security in Christ through consistent exposure to God’s Word and the testimonies of His faithfulness, our hearts naturally find greater rest and peace in Him.

The tangible fruits of this deep-seated valuation are then beautifully described: “You’ll wake up every morning confident of His tender care, protection, and preservation. You’ll live life full of hope and zest instead of worry and fear, and see Him deliver and protect you from whatever the enemy may throw at you!” What a glorious picture this paints! Imagine waking each day with an unshakeable confidence in God’s loving care, knowing that you are held securely in His hands. Imagine living a life characterized not by anxiety and dread, but by vibrant hope and an enthusiastic engagement with the blessings He has given. Imagine seeing His hand actively at work in your life, delivering you from challenges and shielding you from the attacks of the enemy.

This is not a far-off dream but a present possibility for every believer who embraces their identity in Christ and dwells in the secret place of His presence. It is a life lived in the overflow of God’s grace, a life marked by peace that surpasses understanding and a joy that is unshakeable.

Therefore, beloved, if you yearn for this deeper revelation, this unwavering peace, this vibrant hope, I extend a heartfelt invitation. Explore Moralisee.com and immerse yourself in the daily devotions offered there. It is a space dedicated to unpacking these very truths, to illuminating the riches of our inheritance in Christ, and to fostering a deeper understanding of the Father’s unfailing love. Allow the messages of grace and the testimonies of God’s faithfulness to resonate in your heart. As you consistently engage with these resources, I am confident that you will grow in your revelation and valuation of your position in Christ, and in turn, experience the profound rest, the vibrant hope, and the tangible protection that come from dwelling in His secret place. May the peace of Christ, which transcends all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.