Lesson 24: To Cast Your Cares
Kentucky Division Chaplain Chaltas

"It is all in God's hands now." General Lee stated this over and over prior to a battle. Oh, he planned and came up with strategies to implement the plan but he always placed the outcome in God's hands and God's will. He cast his burdens, he cast all his cares, he placed his trust completely in Christ. To me this is a profound message. General Lee is showing us that as a Christian you must plan, you must do your duties in all things, and you must prepare with diligent abandonment. You must carry your responsibilities and do what you can to alleviate the situation, all the while asking for guidance via prayer. Then after you have prayed, prepared and planned you let go and Let God. One of the best statements that I have ever read in the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book was the first of the twelve freedoms. "You will find that God is doing for you what you can not do for yourself." Amazing, simply amazing! The grace that is found in trusting Christ and leaning on those everlasting arms. In 1st Peter 5:7 the Book of Books states; "Casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you." My interpretation of this passage is that we are to do all we can that is within our power and part of our responsibility to do AS we learn to cast our cares upon Christ. With a blessing; with a reward; with healing comes responsibility and the commandment to praise Him and to rejoice in all things. There is a divine purpose that is a mystery to us but it will be revealed some day. "God's will."

As many of you know I have been quite sick and I state this not for sympathy but to glorify God. He has brought me through so many trials in which I have failed myself but not once has He ever failed me. We must rejoice in all things. Does not our wedding vows say, "In sickness and in health, for richer for poorer" and are we not married to Christ? We must not moan over the end of an event but be thankful that the event occurred. That is life. We must accept His divine will. I know that this is not an easy thing to do. For we all like to think we are in control. We do have choices and options but we all must face the final destiny. Are you prepared for the final countdown? Are you ready to embrace the inevitable will of God as you reach that fork in the road where your decision, your choice will either lead up or plummet you into a downward spiral? God is calling. Someday you will have to heed that call. The hour is hidden in the clouds and/or written upon the wind but it is coming as surely as the Son shall rise in the east. Will you cast your cares upon Him and take up your cross and follow the path of your ancestors? He carried all your cares, worries and burdens at Calvary so long ago and he still is in the caring business. Softly He calls as He awaits with open arms.

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