A mouse and an elephant started across a rope bridge. The mouse had been followed by the elephant for a long time and didn’t what to stop walking with the elephant now. So, they walked across the bridge side by side. They continued along the bridge for several steps before the ropes started to make a strange sound. Even still, they continued along the bridge, taking more and more steps.
Just then, part of the rope started to snap. Little threads broke out of place and the rope became frayed under the weight of the two creatures.
The mouse looked down and saw the canyon far beneath them. The mouse knew that if the bridge broke he would surely fall to his death, but he was already halfway across the bridge. He looked to his elephant friend for comfort and then continued across.
They walked slowly next to each other. The mouse took tiny steps to do his best to prevent the bridge from breaking, but the elephant continued along as if nothing had changed. The bridge shook and rocked, coming almost to the breaking point.
Just as it was about to fall apart, the two animals were at the end. They took a great big bounce in unison and jumped from the edge of the bridge to solid ground. Immediately, the bridge bounced back up into place after being relieved of their weight.
After landing safely on the other side, the mouse said to the elephant, “I am so thankful you crossed this bridge with me. If I had crossed alone, I would have been too scared to move when the bridge started to strain. You will have to cross every rope bridge with me to make sure I am safe!”
“Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
Sometimes we try to go through life as if we are a mouse on a rope bridge, traveling with burdens and worries the size of an elephant. We are light and small on our own, but we are heavy with the weight of our traveling companions: grief, pain, suffering, and disappointment.
We walk with them, crossing bridge after bridge. We assume because we made it across each previous bridge that our burdens are important to us. We assume they are needed to cross the next bridge because we have never tried to cross without them.
When you lay your burdens down with Jesus, when you leave that heavy elephant on the other side of the rope bridge, you can cross without any worry.
Remember the story of a mouse and an elephant the next time you are carrying the weight of your worries and burdens. You might make it across the bridge, but that does not mean it wouldn’t be easier on your own.