Day 13 - Rest

Matthew 11:28-29
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 11:28-29
28 "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest.
29 Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. 

To more effectively pull a load, a single ox is yoked to another where, as a team, they are able to work without exhaustion for a much longer time easily. When joined with a stronger and more mature yoke mate, an effort will be made, but the mentoring elder carries the actual load as it helps and shows the weaker one how it's done. What would have been overwhelming both mentally and physically alone is made easy and doable when joined together with the greater one. 

Even in efforts to do good things, there can be a carrying of them from a source other than the Master. We've been called to serve, but never from our own strength or for our own benefit or glory. In letting go of independence and reliance on the strength of our own flesh, there can be a wonderful yoking together with the Greater One, for it to be in His strength that the load is carried. In freedom from how our efforts are perceived by others, whether in rejection or applause as if they were our own, we can be liberated to press on beyond discouragements and disabling offenses. The same grace that delivers without our righteousness empowers quite apart from our own strength. 

With every yoke to fleshly demands, a load is drawn that is ours alone. It may seem doable initially, but strength and endurance will wane over time until movement ends altogether. However, letting go of solo loads makes it more possible to yoke with the kingdom loads that will be drawn together with the Master for His glory and fulfilled purpose. Not only will the work be eased, but much understanding will be gained with the One who has been there before and never known a load He couldn't carry. 

Meditation

Fasting:

"In coming to Jesus for the complete transformation of grace in His presence, I am letting go of life’s cares and struggles for freedom and ease in His service.”
Matthew 9:36, 11:28-30

Praise:

"I praise God for His great mercy and comfort and that He empowers us to provide that same mercy and comfort to others."
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Identity:

"I am delivered from the power of darkness and taken into the kingdom of love where I am redeemed and forgiven."
Colossians 1:13-14

Understanding:

"As Jesus goes before me, I follow Him because I know His voice. I will run from the voice of a stranger."
John 10:4-5 

Wholeness:

"I am not moved by what I feel or see, but I am only moved by the Word of God that says I am whole and complete in Christ."
2 Corinthians 5:7, Acts 20:24

Provision:

"With the Lord as my Shepherd, I lack for nothing as I follow His voice in every area of life."
Psalm 23:1

Song - Come Unto Me