“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 KJV
I thank God for my parents who shielded me as a child. I had no idea that regardless how life panned out, there would be burdens to bear. My parents made sure I didn’t encounter much strife or issue. They lovingly corrected and taught. As an adult I now recognize they fought battles for me I had no clue existed. When there was strife or calamity- most times I had no idea- they took those troubles and kept them. I had a relatively peaceful and restful childhood.
Praise God that my parents also demonstrated and laid the foundation for reliance in Him.
Matthew 11:28-30 demonstrates that like my parents, God desires to shield and guide us lovingly while we grow spiritually. He wants us to move forward and achieve victory even though in life we are often pulling heavy burdens – very heavy issues and circumstances. Along with continuing to progress forward, He wants us to rely on Him and rest in Him.
How do live life and move forward by being “yoked” by Him?
Since this scripture had been on my mind, I decided to research what the function of a yoke is and how it looks. (I also remember a sermon from Rev. Ralph Lampkins years ago.) A yoke normally puts two animals together around the neck in order to haul or pull a large load.
The yoke assists and distributes the weight. The yoke makes sure the entities attached are going in the same direction. A yoke causes two to work together to lift a load.
In life, unfortunately we’re gonna have some large loads.
“Take my yoke upon you…,” implies to me that God gives us the opportunity, but we must choose whether to be taught and guided by Him.
What most intrigues me is the verse then says we will find rest. Even though we’re being guided and moving forward there is promised rest.
Words and concepts like – confidence, peace and assurance come to mind. Then thoughts of faith and trust come to my remembrance.
When we are yoked by and with God we’re sure footed and are linked with the “One” who knows the path- the Alpha and Omega – the One who controls and sees all. He’s the one that protects and leads us the right way.
Why wouldn’t you relax and rest when you knowingly have surrendered struggling in this life? Imagine submitting to be yoked to Our Father who loves you and wants what is best for you. The burdens become easier and lighter when we recognize who He is and all He can do.
I’m not saying the process of being yoked is easy…but I am trusting in the promise that once we are – the burden is lighter and I can rest.
lifeandgodliness 