The closer I get, the farther I go.
The more God reveals, the less I know.
What is this dance of destiny but a movement toward meaning that only occurs by waiting and remaining?
Still is not the same as being stuck. The spirit understands this, but the mind thinks otherwise.
God has a plan.
Jesus, I trust in You.
Common refrains we call out in confusion or whisper to our tears. But do we believe that God loves us – each one of us individually and intimately – and finds joy watching His plans for us unfold in and around us? Do we trust that Jesus came to reconcile our broken parts and lead us into the fulfillment of God’s plans, which the Lord of glory set in motion at the beginning of all creation?
I didn’t.
And not because I did not believe God was able, but because I did not think I was worthy to receive all He intends to give. In my mind, I was left out of His love. I’d have to do this all by myself, and pray all my doing matched a divine blueprint.
So of course Jesus’ invitation to come to Him and exchange my weariness for His rest hit me in the middle of my dry, cracked hardpan heart. Then my brain interrupts and says surely these sentences in scripture sound good, but they are no match for a world-on-the-go.
By His grace, God’s persistence silences the empty voices, and the words on the page form a voice I’ve known since long ago.1
God has a plan. You can trust Me. I love you. Let Me show you what our Father is pleased to provide.
Ok, Jesus. I’m not a good dancer, but I’m ready for You to lead.
Being Yoked to Jesus
Jesus is different.
We resist being drawn to His righteousness, then and now. It is difficult to understand in a worldly culture – which equates success with power, authority, and superiority – how peaceful, empowering, and rewarding it is to be fully submissive to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Being led is not the same as being left helpless. No, Jesus leads by way of strengthening and lifting us to act on the power of Christ working with us.
“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me,” Jesus offers, “for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”2
To us modern desk-dwellers, the image of a yoke might seem alarming, if we know what a yoke is at all. A yoke is a wooden collar which joins two animals to work alongside each other, step by step, in the fields. It’s a symbol of partnership, unity, and service.
Jesus used this metaphor as a visual teaching aid to illustrate the meaning; many of His listeners were likely field laborers, so they could imagine the distinction between the Lord who walks and works beside them – guiding and sharing the load – and those who lord over them.
Even today, are there many examples in a paternalistic society of loving discipline, selfless compassion, and sacrificial leadership? We naturally object to the idea of a yoke and the misperception it will be an oppressive hand; thus it is challenging to believe that our Mighty God is nothing like most earthly leaders.
Jesus is different. He is the way, the truth, and the life.3 Yoked to Him, we are led to abundance, belonging, and fulfillment.
