Matthew 11:30 “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
A man was trudging down a dusty road in rural Kentucky in the heat of the day, loaded up with a cumbersome backpack and a suitcase in either hand. The driver of a pick-up truck took pity and offered him a ride in the back. A few minutes later the driver looked in his rear-view mirror to see the man standing in the truck, still wearing the backpack and still carrying both suitcases.
Have we climbed aboard the truck of faith, but still insist on carrying all our baggage, not realizing we can lay them down and take it easy for a while?
Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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.” (Matthew 11:28,29).
I remember doing an epic team-building exercise up some mountains. I carried a very heavy backpack for hours on end. Eventually a friend wanted to give me a break, so I swapped with his much lighter one. The sensation was remarkable, because although I was obviously more weighed down than if I was carrying nothing, I actually jumped and skipped along for a while because it was so much lighter than my previously crushing backpack.
If we team up with Jesus, he takes our backpack and shares the workload with us. There’ll always be some load to carry – that’s life – but with him alongside us it’s more bearable, and hopefully even enjoyable. In the daytime wind and rain on the mountain face, it wasn’t much fun, but later around the camp fire with a mug of hot chocolate, it was fabulous. I found rest for my soul!
Lord, I choose to lay down unnecessary burdens today and to yoke myself with you. Amen!
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