YOKING WITH JESUS OR YOKING WITH WORLD
SCRIPTURE:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28—30)
OBSERVATION:
Life can be wearisome and burdensome. The struggle is real, and many people succumbed to its power. Family burdens, financial burdens, concern for the future, fear of illnesses, and many others are the affliction of the soul. Human souls are fragile and broken. Life has pushed many to the point of restlessness. There is no better time to heed this invitation than when I am alive today. The whole world is under the curse of restless human beings. Our souls are troubled. It is a spiritual restlessness.
I ask myself today, what am I wearisome and being burdened by? I know that things weigh heavily on my mind about my life, my family, and what the future holds. Where would I be five years from now? What is it there to do? When should I let go of some of the things I do now and look to do something different at this age? Life sometimes is filled with unending questions and unresolved issues that continue to bring pressure. Sometimes we struggle with our decisions and choices in life. Sometimes unresolved sins or bitterness, unforgiveness, or current sin that no one knows about but daunt us daily.
These words of Jesus remind me of what I must do. What an invitation and what hope and life-giving words. Come to Jesus is a powerful line of this invitation for me today. So many times, people go to the wrong person to deal with the issues of the soul. So many times, people seek people’s attention to help heal their life challenges. Jesus gives me a direct invitation today to COME TO HIM. This powerful invitation is to everyone and anyone WEARY AND BURDENED. It is for anyone who burdens them for whatever reason or life issues; Jesus is calling you to come to him.
Jesus promised the REST for our weary and overly burdened souls. Coming to Jesus allows us to learn about his YOKE and LIFE’S YOKE. Many weariness and burdens come from our pursuit of whatever the world parades in front of our lives. To Yoke with Jesus is to rest and learn how to walk life with him. Jesus yokes with us so we can know what is essential and valuable to him and his will. To yoke with Jesus is to learn gentleness and humility. To yoke with the world is to be led by aggressive pursuit of life and pride, thus leading to weariness and a burden-filled soul.
Jesus knows what we need in life. Jesus can teach us what is essential in life. Jesus can give us the wisdom and the courage to say no to worldly pursuits that damage our souls. So many of our worldly pursuits are the cause of our stressful existence. Today, the invitation is an invitation to all believers to YOKE WITH JESUS.
APPLICATION:
As this year ends, I will continue to yoke with Christ daily. I want to live in fear of him in ways of obedience. I want to avoid worldly passions that drive me to a stressful life. I gave the reins of my life to Christ and firmed my commitment to follow him. I will continue to go to him when life hits me hard.
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank you for the invitation to yoke with you. I pray that you continue to teach me what is essential and valuable to pursue as I serve you. Forgive me for the times I allowed myself to yoke with my surroundings. Please strengthen my resolve to follow you wholeheartedly. Thank you for inviting me to be with you and learn your ways, wisdom, and purpose from you. Thank you for being my rest, wisdom, purpose, and life. I will continue to run to you daily. Amen!
