"Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light."
Matthew 11:29-30 New Living Translation
"Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting upon you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." Matthew 11:29-30 The Message
This week coming up scares me. The weekend is over before I noticed it had arrived, and I am still trying to finish laundry and figure out supper. But next week, with my husband away for work, babysitter juggling, a surprise late night work assignment and all of the usual chores and hurry-up "to-do's" is seeming pretty overwhelming. I just want to climb under the covers and wait for spring.
Jesus promises us that nothing he assigns us "to do" in this life will be too heavy or too difficult. He has faith in us and the gifts He provides us with. He also knows He is not asking us to do anything alone - in fact, He wants to be with us every step of the way. He reminds us we can learn from Him, as He took time to spend with His Father in prayer daily, and worked tirelessly caring for thousands of people. He never ran out of energy or inspiration, patience or love, because He was connected to the Father. He offers us His yoke - a way of sharing the burden that we are carrying - if we will only turn to Him.
Jesus, I long to find rest for my soul. Only in You can I find the peace and joy that I crave instead of the chaos and busyness of the world. Help me to take on Your yoke, so that my burdens will seem light. Open my heart and my mind so that I might live with the unforced rhythm of grace you promise us: a life that is light and free, and designed especially for me. Amen
Life Steps: Is there a burden I am carrying that seems too heavy to bear, or is the daily grind wearing on me until I can barely stand it? I will picture Jesus walking beside me as I go about my day, and know that I am not carrying this alone.
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