The oldest known depiction of juggling was discovered in the Beni-Hassan tombs. Images of woman juggling were found among acrobats and dancers on a crypt wall that dates back to the middle-kingdom of ancient Egypt. The modern word for juggling was derived from the English term jogelin. This refers to entertaining others by performing tricks. Contemporary jugglers have perfected this physical skill by throwing objects in the air, catching them and throwing them back up.
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls, Matthew 11:28-29.
After watching an episode of Joan of Arcadia that features juggling, today’s blog was conceived. Although the Season 2 Episode 8 is entitled Friday Night, Judith persuades Joan to use juggling as a Physics project. During this show, Joan meets a man who shares a parable. A man who weighs 190 has to carry three 10 pounds boxes over a bridge. The only problem is that this foot bridge has a maximum weight capacity of 200 pounds. The only way this man could make it across in one try was by juggling these 3 boxes.
For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good—not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne, Matthew 11:30.
Using a story line from this episode, life has a way of throwing many things at you. Sometimes unexpected trials come in bunches, overwhelming souls with multiple burdens. Unless you have a friend to share this load, pain and weight, individuals are forced to juggle what they can. If you are alone, the weight of circumstances, ordeals and situations can suck the life out of you. When you reach this point or stage in life, you need to learn how to unload unexpected burdens. In the passages above, Jesus provides a blueprint to release these burdens as a form of prayer. When anxieties, concerns and worries don’t go away, keep juggling.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 