The Lord’s Yoke

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. For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good—not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne. Matthew 11:28-30 AMP

A yoke is a wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plow or cart that they are to pull. I remember reading a while back that in the time of Christ, people used to make the yokes for each oxen individually to fit that specific animal. Before the time of Christ, the Pharisees had made many rules that were their interpretation of the law, and they put these rules on the people as if they were the word of God. Jesus said that they tied up heavy loads and put them on men’s backs, but they did not lift a finger to help. (Matt. 23:4).

Often, religion can try to put demands on people that are not from God. Or, what is right for one person may not be right for another. And sometimes there is a changing of seasons and what the Lord once had anointed you to do, or the place where He had you doing it changes.

The Lord made each of us with unique personalities and specific gifts and callings. Thank the Lord that His yoke is individually crafted to fit each of us and it is not hard, sharp or pressing. His yoke is a place for rest, refreshment and recreation for our souls. And His burden is light and easy to be borne. If this doesn’t describe your relationship with the Lord, then you may need to evaluate if the burden you are carrying or all the religious activities you are participating in are truly from the Lord at this time in your life.

When God’s grace lifts off of you to be somewhere or to participate in certain activities, that is often a sign that He is getting ready to do a new thing in your life. Often, when we sense that this is happening, we need to spend more quality time alone with the Lord to discern and know where He is leading us. If we choose to stay behind and keep doing the same old things instead of “moving with the cloud,” then we could miss out on the wonderful opportunities that God has for us. God is doing new things. Move with the cloud! God bless you all.

In Christ ~ Kelly Rowe