When His Yoke is Easy

 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, 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. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28

It’s after midnight, and moments ago, I was desperately trying to fall asleep, but my mind was wandering instead of shutting down for the night.  I have to be awake in 4 hours, but I just couldn’t get this off my mind. Have you ever felt a burden so heavy that it took your breath from you? A burden so deep and silencing that you could only speak about it to your most trusted confidants. That’s me.  I’m right here trying to pick up a burden that I wasn’t meant to carry and still learning to trust Him with every thought.

Just a few weeks ago, my husband called me with devastating news. The kind you have to be silent about until all the facts are laid out. The kind that leaves you wondering and asking, “What if?” I was instantly blinded by rage at the news. Like a bull charging from his chute, I was ready to execute justice at my own will.  But God.  But God, in His endless grace, stopped me and redirected my energy to trusting Him.  It’s true, anger can be righteous, but I wasn’t practicing righteous anger in that moment.

“Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

The Christian Standard Version says it like this, “Stop fighting, and know that I am God.”

Stop fighting.

Since then, I have settled into the silence.  I am choosing silence, not because it’s too uncomfortable.  But there are others to consider.  I have to practice patience, honor others, and trust Him, knowing that God is working out all things for my good because I love Him and I’m called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). He has a plan, and His plan is for my good.  Even when His plans are good, we can still feel the weight of our struggles.

I love that Jesus knew this about His children.  

 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, 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. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28

Although modern machinery has replaced the use of animals for moving heavy loads, a yoke is a tool a farmer uses to join two large animals together to increase their power.  It’s a wooden beam that connects two oxen or other animals so they can work together to pull a shared load.  It provides connection, restraint, and control. 

His yoke is easy, but it’s still a yoke, and my anger had to submit to Christ as I processed my grief. His burden is light, but I still have to die to myself every day and give my burdens to Him. Jesus said that his yoke is easy because it is not the burden, but rather the means by which we are disciplined to deepen our trust in Him. Taking on His yoke is a privilege and joy for the believer, knowing He’s walking with me and sharing the load, making my burdens lighter—I am yoked to Him.

The constant truth in my life is that Jesus will never leave me or forsake me.  I remind my children of this truth almost daily.

“Jesus is always with you and He never leaves your side.”

“You can’t go anywhere that Jesus isn’t already there.”

“He’s the most loyal and your forever-friend.”

Don’t we need to be reminded of these truths as well?  Daily.  I need the Holy Spirit to reveal this to me daily, like it’s the latest story! Our faith is hard-wrought in the testing and trials of this life.  But we can know that He is sovereign, all-powerful, and walks with us through every single moment. 

We so often talk about God’s sovereignty in my family.  My husband and I are all in when it comes to trusting God for every outcome. We want our kids to remember growing up in a home where He always received the glory and we enjoyed His goodness—no matter the outcome or the life circumstances that seem to surround us. On the day my husband called me, I didn’t have to wait long to see His sovereignty at work.  I understand, firsthand, what it means for God to set boundaries against evil and usher people in and out of spaces I’ve never even walked into, just to be present and show His power to my loved ones and to me. By his grace, I stopped fighting and started trusting. I was amazed at how quickly He revealed His goodness even in the midst of heartache and grief. His redemptive nature never fails to pursue us!

What burden do you need to hand over to Jesus? Have you taken His yoke upon yourself to learn His nature and see how much he cares for you?

Lying in bed, I knew I wouldn’t fall asleep until I was obedient and had at least started this blog. I argued with the Lord and asked Him for time tomorrow, but it was futile.  My heart wouldn’t settle until I obeyed.  I’m thankful for His kindness in leading me into obedience and for blessing me with His strength tomorrow. I’m counting on it!

Ardently His,

Jessica

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