How do we overcome when we are feeling weary and heavy laden? Sometimes we work at our jobs, around the house, with our family or in our volunteer work and it feels as if it is all for naught. More and more is being asked of us as we work tirelessly for what seems like an eternity, only to lose steam, grow tired and discouraged. There can be difficulties with people and/or circumstances that just don’t let up. I think of Moses and the Israelites as they wandered in the desert for those forty years. Can you even imagine?

One story from Exodus in particular stands out as an example of persever- ance that also involves the support and help from fellow sojourners. It’s the kind of support that we need to remember as believers walking togeth- er on our faith journey.

The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalektes. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.” So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it Aaron and Hur held his hands up- one on one side, one on the other – so that his hands remained steady till sunset. Exodus 17: 8-12

“Aaron and Hur held his hands up- one on one side, one on the other.”
This sounds like the faith community stepping in to help for the greater good. This also sounds like the support we, as Cursillistas, get from our faith filled and loving group members. 

Have you had the opportunity to “hold up the arms” of a member or members of your group when they have become weary? Have group members of yours stepped in to “hold up your arms” in support of you when you have been weary? We don’t have to face our discouragement and obstacles alone. God has put these people into our paths for a reason. So in addition to going to prayer and seeking the Lord as we are told in Matthew 11:28, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”, make sure you seek the support from those that have been put in your path as friends in Christ. Knowing that you are not on this journey alone is very comforting and hearing their stories of hope and victory is what just might encourage you.

Praying for your peace and perseverance,

Justine & Bill Bojan
Lay directors