Take A Load Off

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest ([relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-89 (AMP)

Recently I was asked to speak at church and the theme of the day was taking on the yoke of the Lord. In preparation, God sent me to the classroom to learn a thing or two about yoke removal.

A yoke by definition is an agency of oppression, subjection, and servitude. These are powerful words that can make a worn-out person feel even more powerless. If we willingly choose to avoid time in God’s Word, fellowship with God’s people, and obedience to God’s ways we voluntarily choose to wear the yoke of the world. We become oppressed by ill-fitting priorities, subject to people pleasing, and a slave to the world’s standard of success.

My classroom experience taught me about the Lord’s yoke. By definition it is easy and light. Those who voluntarily remove the world’s yoke and wear the Lord’s yoke discover a place to of rest, relief, and refreshment for their anxious soul. Unlike the world’s yoke, the Lord’s yoke is not harsh, sharp, or pressing.

We can only realize the comfort of His yoke as we spend time in His Word and joyfully submit to His Ways. His Word is true and ways are right, the exact opposite of the world. There really is no other way to have the life Jesus speaks of Matthew 11.

Try it on. His yoke isn’t ill-fitting and just the right size.