Maneuvers - No. 76
The Ache
Inside
Our culture prizes independence. We celebrate every milestone in life when we become a little less dependent on others—when we take our first steps, when we begin to read on our own, when we learn to drive or graduate or move out of our parents’ house.
And in many ways, this is good, isn’t it? We celebrate learning responsibility and individuality—and these are good things.
But could it be that we were made to be dependent, too? All throughout Scripture, we see that God created us to need one another and, more than anything, to need him.
Have you ever tried to ignore that need, friend? What happened?
For many of us, it can easily lead to shouldering heavy burdens we were never meant to carry alone. It can cause us to turn inward instead of seeing life and the world through our Father’s eyes. Simply put… it creates an ache in our souls.
But instead of carrying these burdens, what if we allowed ourselves to be carried today?
In this week’s message, Holy Spirit offers us a holy invitation—to be loved, held, and understood.
In that sacred place with Jesus, we don’t shoulder burdens alone; we hand them to him and we joyfully accept the companionship we were created for.
Will you join us as we listen today?
01.
The Message
“There is an ache in you, deep down, that I can satisfy. It need not be uncovered, at least for my sake. I know where it is. But for your sake, can I show you where the ache resides? Can I lead you to the place within you that harbors the pain? Can I hold your hand as we navigate memories not so distant, experiences you would rather forget?
“For if we go there together—you can trust me to be with you—you will no longer be carrying the weight of the experience alone. You don’t need to; you aren’t meant to. I am here because I don’t want you to be alone, in agony, a sheep without a shepherd, when I delight in caring for you, when I chose, again and again, to carry you.
“Do not carry the pain alone, dear one. Do not walk this day alone. Do not suffer because you feel independence is strength. Strength is doing things you could never do all on your own. It is knowing I walk beside you and I give you wisdom and courage—resilience, fortitude—all that you need to face, and thrive, on this day.
“You know what it is you want to ask me now, don’t you? Will you speak what it is? I am listening. May we have that conversation you are yearning for? Will you accept the companionship you need?
“Pause here, for just a little while. Turn to me. Give me your attention. Give me your heavy thoughts. Be here with me. Stay, with your attention on me.
“For I have much to show you, much to teach you, much to give you. You need not go through this day all on your own.
“Aren’t you curious now, just a little bit? Don’t you want to know more why I love to speak to you? Don’t you crave to know even more who is speaking? Come. Come. Come. You are why I have come. You are why I am so happy to never leave.”
02.
Listen
In a word, what’s your response to this week’s message? What do you want to say to the Lord in response? Let’s write it down in our journals.
03.
Think
“Pile your troubles on God’s shoulders—he’ll carry your load, he’ll help you out. He’ll never let good people topple into ruin” (Psalm 55:22, MSG).
1. Where do you feel misunderstood or alone in your pain? What burdens do you need to “pile on” Jesus?
2. What past experiences taught you to carry those burdens alone? How have those experiences shaped how you view dependence and vulnerability?
3. What do you long for in a companion? What needs do you think companionship could satisfy?
4. How does Jesus want to fulfill those needs in you with his love?
04.
Trust
Why do we try to do so many things on our own? Could it be that our Western culture has taught us since we were little that having needs equals weakness?
And we don’t want that, do we? After all, this world of ours despises weakness.
But as followers of Jesus, we live in an upside-down kingdom, where weakness isn’t despised—it’s celebrated.
When the apostle Paul prayed for God to remove his “thorn in the flesh,” Holy Spirit told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV).
Can we read that verse again, friend? Slowly, savoring every word…
My grace is sufficient for you… for my power is made perfect in weakness.
Now, let’s read it again but as a prayer to the Lord:
Jesus, your grace is sufficient for me… for your power is made perfect in my weakness.
What did you feel as you prayed that simple prayer? What weaknesses came to your mind? What needs or burdens? Let’s take a moment to write them down.
Now, let’s read Paul’s response to what Holy Spirit’s told him:
“Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10, ESV, emphasis added).
What the world calls weakness, Jesus calls strength.
Let’s look at our list of weaknesses, needs, and burdens again and ask Holy Spirit, “How do you want to use the things on my list to display your power and love in my life? How am I strong even in these weaknesses? How do you want to heal that ache inside me—and what does that look like?”
If God lays something specific on our hearts, let’s write it down. (And if he doesn’t, that’s okay, too. Our goal is simply to listen here.)
And now, let’s respond to him…
05.
Pray
Heavenly Father, I’m amazed at you. Only you could turn my weakness into strength. And only you could transform my burdens into opportunities for glory. I love that about you—and I love you.
Where I still struggle to see you at work in my life, open my eyes. And where I’ve pushed you away because I want to do things on my own, forgive me—and help me. I so need you, Lord, and only you.
Thank you for every way you carry my burdens. And thank you for the way you hear me, understand me, and love me relentlessly. I give you all of me. I give you this ache inside, too. (Let’s open our hands.) I receive your love and your gifts…
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Waving the banner with you,
