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September 20, 2007
Hand to the Plow
After getting the kids situated in school and into a tentative rhythm for the year, you might finally be at a place to stop, catch a breath and re-evaluate. For me, rather than feeling relieved and refreshed, I’m feeling more burdened and stressed.
As I reflect on the following verses, I question “Where’s the ‘easy yoke’ that you talk about, Jesus?”
Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly [“is easy” (NIV)] and the burden I give you is light. Matthew 11:28-30
Why are we often weary and burdened-down? Here are a few thoughts:
- As my mentor reminded me, we often take on too much or too many day’s work. There is Scriptural truth to the phrase “one day at a time”. Jesus commanded us (yes, “commanded”) in Matthew 6:34 not to worry about tomorrow. “Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (NLT)
- We often go it alone. We are “leaning on our own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5-6) rather than on His. Too often we try to work FOR God rather than working WITH Him where He is already at work. It’s so much easier to plow a field that has already been broken up than to plow fallow ground. Plus, the yoke is made for two, not just one. The Message Bible phrases it as “watch how I do it…walk with me and work with me.”
- And finally, too often we have consciously or sub-consciously bought into the “easy street” mentality (aka “health-wealth” teachings). We think that following Jesus should be easy with few problems. Didn’t he say His yoke was “easy”? He did, but a yoke implies work and a burden has to be carried.
The truth is we’re still under the curse of sin. Things still breakdown, run amuck and frustrate us to no end. Our bodies still get sick and loved-ones die. All of creation and His creatures are still groaning under the burden of sin and rebellion - until that Day when we enter his Rest and all creation is renewed and brought into the glorious freedom of God (Romans 8).
We all have Burdens: our finances, health, family relationships, or even the burden of fears and doubts about our faith (like John the Baptist in the early verses of Matthew 11). And when the burdens get overwhelmingly heavy, it’s easy to think about abandoning everything. Try another job, another shopping spree, another drink or pill, another relationship, and maybe even another god.
But when it gets right down to it, we must conclude like Peter when many were abandoning Jesus, “Lord, to whom would we go? You alone have the words that give eternal life.” (John 6:68 NLT) If we don’t trust Him, our only option is despair. But with Jesus, the burden is always lighter and easier to bear because He bears it with us.
The stresses of these last days are increasing according to the Scriptures. So expect it and hold on even tighter to Him. Let’s not give up and say it’s been in vain that we’ve followed Jesus and therefore betray this generation of children (Psalm 73). Instead, let’s keep ourselves yoked with Him and our hands to the plow until He comes!
Honestly,
Charles
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