Leaning on Jesus

Published Jul 3, 2023

By Deb Burma

I’m always on the lookout for local coffee companies during my travels, and recently, I was happy to find Big Shoulders in an airport hub. What do you suppose this waiting traveler did during her layover?! I succumbed to their flavor of the day. Delicious! Yes, this coffee shop called my name—then the name called out to me in large, bold letters: BIG SHOULDERS.

I love that. Big shoulders. It makes me think of my dad and my husband, the men in my life whose big shoulders and strong arms have carried much on my behalf; who’ve helped, hugged, and held me . . . and made me feel safe. Secure. I have friends with big shoulders I’ve leaned on. I’m blessed with sisters in Christ whose shoulders I’ve cried on and received comfort.

All this said, the first One who came to mind when I saw the coffee company’s sign was my Lord Jesus, my Savior.

On His strong shoulder I lean. I am helped, and I am held.

In His arms, I am safe. I am secure.

By His embrace, I know I am loved, and I am saved. And there is no greater comfort than this.

When Jesus breathed His last and His shoulders slumped on the cross, IT. WAS. FINISHED. (See John 19:30.) He conquered sin and death for me. For you too. And He rose again! (Let that sink in.)

1 Peter 2:24 says it well:

He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.

Let Him shoulder your fears and your needs today. “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation” (Isaiah 12:2).

Jesus said, “For your Father knows what you need before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8).

The apostle Paul proclaimed, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

Yes, He’s got you . . . because He’s got big shoulders. The biggest, in fact.