YOKE EXCHANGE
It's time to get you some rest, baby.
Whoa na!
It's been quite some time since we last spoke via site! How are y'all? What have you been up to? Staying hydrated? How was your 21 day challenge? Any of you just starting? Feel me in!
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A QUICK LITTLE CATCH UP:
To be honest, it has not been easy these past few months. Adjusting to a new home in a new city, studying 21 hours for the semester, a 2 hour work commute and in addition to it, there’s been some necessary pruning that’s been quite uncomfortable. But God!
Though this may seem like an overload to some, God has truly been trying to get my attention lately with a few words:
-REST IN ME
-BE PATIENT
-WAIT CONFIDENTLY
-THIS IS GRACE
I will be sharing with you all over the next few weeks what He’s placed on my heart regarding the above affirmations.
Today, we’ll start with “REST IN ME”.
1. Rest in God.
Matthew 11:28-30 reads, 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. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (NLT)
For those who are not familiar with the word “yoke”, its a wooden bar that allowed two or more animals to be teamed up (yoked) so that they might effectively work together.
When the scripture is digested, God is saying to believe in who He is and what He’s able to do. God has asked us to take on His yoke. Sounds crazy, huh? Why are we giving Him our yoke and taking His?
What’s His yoke might you ask?
Belief.
God is wanting to free us from captivity, anything that’s a heavy burden to us or hindering us from resting in him. Jesus does not want our souls resting in our circumstance or others around us. We’re to be yoked to Jesus, so that it's easier to bear and the burden given may be light. Wouldn’t you say the yoke of belief is much easier to carry than the things that have you arrested mentally, spiritually, physically or emotionally?
While studying scripture, I read that Jesus doesn’t offer a life of luxurious ease—
the yoke is still an oxen’s tool for working hard. But it's a shared yoke, with weight falling on bigger shoulders than yours.”
So to my visual learners, God’s shoulders are bigger.
Ever tried making one trip up the stairs or into your home with groceries? It's just sometimes too much to carry or the simple fact that you’d rather not make the second or 4th trip to your vehicle. It can be tiring! I know for me, I was on the 3rd floor when staying in my apartment, and I did not believe in a second trip. And don’t let it be a case of water. It will sit in the car until its down to 6 bottles. For me, I’d rather be inside, preparing, making room for all that’s expected to come. Ooh! Yes! Issa word!
So, imagine having someone yoked to you, a strong gentleman for instance or even an equally yoked friend. You wouldn’t have to carry that weight that’s a burden to you because you have someone who is willing and able to carry it with ease. Someone whose shoulders are much stronger the yours.
Thats somewhat like our God (not saying man is God, sis) but God is there to take on the things we can’t handle, the things that are too much for us. If we take on His yoke, He will give us rest for our souls. All we’re asked to do is believe. While believing, we need to be preparing for all that’s to come! We need to make room, throw out some things and some people that have expired!
We don’t have to carry around the things that are worrisome and burdensome. We don’t have to carry around fear and anxiety. With God, we can face the lies that we may mentally tell ourselves or those from the enemy. We can face and release destructive relationships, the fear of finances, chaos in workplaces or in our homes! We can face and release past mistakes, insecurities, difficulty in the marriage or even raising that child(ren)!
All we need to do is exchange for the yoke of Jesus, and things will work effectively.
Remember, grace yourself, sis.
p.s. this is grace
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One last thing before I go, I know its a little off, but baby get some sleep.
Yes, it starts with you choosing to rest your soul in Christ, but you also need real sleep.
Periodt.
Your rest may not look like others. But for some, you may need to sleep on social media for a week to get mental rest.
You may need to sleep on certain foods for the sake of your body, or even schedule a day off to intentionally do nothing but rest to function physically.
Trust me, if you’re not resting, it will show in those areas where you’re trying to move because you won’t be able to give it your absolute best.
Again, grace yourself.