A couple of years ago, I began my foray into the world of travel – as an advisor with a large agency. I must admit it was rather intimidating entering an arena I had very little knowledge about. As I began to share with others that I had completed training and was now certified as a travel advisor, I started receiving inquiries. The problem was that, while I had traveled some, I had not traveled extensively – especially outside of the United States.

This is when I learned a valuable lesson: lean on those who know far more than I do, have traveled further than I’ve been, and have been doing this for much longer than I have. And the more I sent emails, texts, and Facebook messages to fellow advisors, the more trust developed. They had been where I hadn’t and had experienced and achieved what I had yet to.

Eventually, I learned that the Founder and President of the agency and I had some common ground: we each began knowing nothing. Nearly 15 years later, after taking his first step towards a dream he couldn’t imagine, Adam Duckworth (a former student pastor from Michigan) leads a world-renowned travel agency with more than 2,700 advisors – and growing! But what’s so reassuring about hearing Adam share his passion with others is this bottom-line truth: he is one of us.

As I read stories in Scripture like the one in Luke 7, I’m always encouraged – not only because I relate to the soldier’s initial feeling of inadequacy in approaching Jesus with his plea, but also in knowing that Jesus cares deeply – because he, too, is one of us.

The Apostle Paul stated it perfectly in his letter to the Philippians:

Your attitude should be the kind that was shown us by Jesus Christ, who, though he was God, did not demand and cling to his rights as God, but laid aside his mighty power and glory, taking the disguise of a slave and becoming like men.
Phil. 2:5-7 (TLB)

As a human – like you and me – Jesus experienced the same emotional and physical highs and lows we do. He certainly felt joy and elation – but we tend to focus on the persecution and torture he endured. This, not surprisingly, is when we lean on him most – in our seasons of discouragement, sorrow, and pain. However, as Hebrews 4:14-16 states, we can confidently approach Jesus, knowing he has been where we’ve been – and to the extreme.

Because of his firsthand familiarity with humanness, Jesus advocates for us to our Heavenly Father! He can say, “Yeah, I remember how it felt to be disregarded. I know what it’s like when Satan is after you. I’m with you.” How incredible!

The next time you hesitate to take that load you’re carrying and lay it at his feet, remember he’s been there. He knows your pain. In fact, he wore it. And he wants nothing more than to offer you the grace and mercy you need to keep running your race.