How Good is Your Cast?

How Good is Your Cast?

July 2013

Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie

Life can be challenging and all of us have burdens. Financial woes plague many with our economy, problems in relationships challenge others, work stress press down on a number of people or caring for an ill loved one. What burden is weighing on you right now? Maybe you are trying to carry all the above burdens by yourself. If that is the case, I would suggest you need to practice your cast.

Cast means to throw forcefully in a specific direction. Psalms 55:22 says,“ Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail).(AMP) When trouble lands on our shoulders, we are told exactly what to do-to throw them forcefully to the Lord. God knew we were not designed to carry the problems we would encounter so he offered to carry them for us. I love how he is the perfect gentleman!

In the recent years of my life, I have encountered numerous trial and have had the opportunity to practice casting my burdens on the Lord. To be honest, I would have crumbled by the weight of them if I tried to cary them. Sometimes I would try to cast them, but it was more of a toss, instead of a forceful throw. If we do not throw our cares forcefully and in the direction of the Lord, they can weigh us down and rob us of joy, peace and even good health. We must be intentional about our cast and practice it often.

My new husband is a fisherman. The world of fishing is foreign to me and I’m discovering it is part of my new life. Recently, we were invited to go bass fishing with another couple. I am always up for new adventure, however, all day of fishing was a little more adventure than I had signed up for. About six hours into the nine hour trip, my shoulders ached,my skin was sticky, I was tired and longed for a good bath. To make matters worse, I had not caught near as many fish as everyone else.

“Why am I not catching as many fish as everyone else?” I asked my husband. “We are all fishing out of the same boat and using similar lures,” I stated.

“Well, honey, it takes practice,” he encouraged.

“You’re doing good but the main thing you need to work on is practicing your cast,” he continued.

I began to watch exactly where the other three experienced fisherman were casting. Their cast were specific, not just in the middle of the lake. I began practicing my cast.It was not too long before I too, began to catch a few more fish and even managed to reel in a 2 1/2 lb. bass. I was so excited, I thought I had caught Moby Dick!

I later began to ponder Psalms 55:22. When we specifically cast our burdens upon the Lord, he promises to sustain us, to uphold, bear the weight, prolong and strengthen us. Our job is to throw them forcefully, his job is to carry them. Actually, God not only promises to sustain us but the rest of that scripture says he will not allow us to fall or fail. 

I have been practicing my casting with the new rod my husband purchased for me preparing for an upcoming fishing trip. I am also working on quickly casting my cares on the Lord too so I can reap the blessings God promises for me as I cast my burdens upon him. God loves you and me so much and I feel he wants us to practice our cast. What burden do you need to practice casting? Will you join me in practicing your cast? Who knows what we will catch as we enjoy the adventures he has for us as we walk with Him.

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