Day 6 – Laying burdens down
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
In this culture, a “yoke” was a system of teaching, a way of living. So many times, we labour under the heaviness of expectations. Expectations of our own design or placed upon us by others. We are weighed down by the anxiety that it all depends on us.
Yet the “yoke” of Christ is one of gentleness and humility. He offers rest when others offer judgment.
Our significance, our life, is found in Him. Through His death on the cross, we are given life. Through His work, we are justified, not of ourselves but only through Him.
Yet so many times I crawl back to the old yoke. I live like it all depends on me.
Lord help me to come to you and lay it down. Help me to rest in You and not my own efforts.
Inward: Jesus, what do you want me to know? What are some of the ways that I try to live under the old yoke? What truths do I need to remember?
Outward: Jesus, what do you want me to do? How can I encourage others around me to rest in You?
