Ease The Burden

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Life is hard work, and facing all the challenges it brings us can be especially hard work. Thankfully we do not need to face life and do the work all alone. 

"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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

~Matthew 11:28-30~

Ah yes, I am weary and tired of carrying this burden! I would love to rest, take it easy, just kick back and relax. Sounds good, doesn't it?

But then Jesus invites you to take on his "yoke" - wait, what? Isn't that for farm animals? Yes, it is. So how is that related to "rest"?

A yoke is a wooden beam used to connect two animals, often oxen, so they can work in a pair. The kind we're probably most familiar with fits over the necks of the oxen. This oxbow type of yoke fits over the neck and has a swivel between the two animals that is attached to whatever they are pulling. 

That sure looks like work to me. But it's also obvious that it's work done in a team. One animal will struggle to pull a load using a yoke designed for two animals. Yokes do need to be fitted to the animal for comfort and efficiency. When the animals are well-paired and yoke is fitted to the task, the work will be efficient. Perhaps not "easy" as in completely effortless, but efficient and purposeful. 

You see, God has designed us to work. God works and he has made us in his image, to be creative and to do the work of caring for creation. When we do the work he's designed us to do, and do it with him, there's effort involved, but it's efficient and purposeful. We partner with God in doing what he's put in our hearts to do. 

His yoke is well-fitted and helps us work efficiently. We always work as a team with him, and with his people. We can pull together instead of fighting each other. 

Life is indeed hard work. But it is work made much easier by following God, by giving and receiving help along the way, and partnership with the family of God. The community of believers that is to support and encourage each other, sharing burdens and sharing joys.

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

~Galatians 6:2~

Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality . . . Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

~Romans 12:13, 15~

If one part [of the body] suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

~I Corinthians 12:26-27~

No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another. ~Charles Dickens

This post is part of the Write 28 Days Blogging Challenge hosted by Anita Ojeda. Find all my posts for the 2023 challenge here: Write Something Somewhere

A previous version of this article was published on Homeschool Coffee Break in February 2022, as part of the Write 28 Days Blogging Challenge hosted by Anita Ojeda. Find all my posts for the 2022 challenge here: 28 Days of Coping With Change.

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