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Lose the Baggage, Take the Yoke

A familar sight around town is a homeless man who pushes an overloaded grocery cart.  He's got problems with mental illness and his family has given up on him. The man has refused to stay on medication that will help him and he prefers to live on the streets. 

Over time the contents of the grocery cart he pushes have grown.  I'm not sure what's in it, but he's decorated it with colorful flags and tattered bits tied to wooden poles. The cart is never far away from him. Pushing it requires all his might, but he perseveres. As I watched him struggle with the cart the other day on the sidewalk, he was bent completely over pushing the cart holding all his worldly possessions. It seems the whole focus of his world is the cart with the stuff.

We may feel sorry for the man and how sad his life must be, but aren't we the same?  We carry the burdens of seeking wealth and success. Or we may carry tremendous loads of guilt over past sins. There are burdens of self-righteousness and the standard we place upon others. Maybe it's the burden of a broken relationship.

Just as the homeless man has chosen to keep his ever-growing burden of the cart, we do the same. We may try to dress it up with some decorations, but it's still bad stuff. How can we escape it? It has become a part of us, and we willingly bow beneath the familiar load.

Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light."  Matthew 11:28-30 NLT


Yoked Oxen
Photo by Planbox
Decide to take the cartload of stuff to Jesus. He knows you're tired, discouraged, defeated. He longs to come alongside you.  Take His light yoke of obedience, love, and trust. You can lose the baggage. Yes, it's a paradox. Why would we trade burdens for a yoke? Aren't they the same? In a word-no. 

The heavy burden of sin, guilt, and judgment can be a thing of the past. The yoke of love and trust promises strength and grace for today, while guaranteeing our eternity in Heaven. The One who gave His life for us is also willing to be yoked to us. Are you getting this?  The Son of God wants to walk next to you everyday, every second. He loves you that much. He wants us to trust Him, walk with Him, learn about Him.  There's forgiveness, restoration and rest in that relationship. It's your decision though; the homeless man has made his. What will yours be today?
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Sheila Deeth said…
Lovely lesson. I will remember this next time I see our local "bird lady."
February 09, 2013
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