I'm not sure about you, but I didn't really "get" today's scripture until a couple of years ago. I grew up in church from about age three, and somehow I always thought eggs were involved with this verse.
So here's a quick clarification for anyone who had the same thought: a YOLK is the yellow internal part of a bird's egg, which is surrounded by the white, that nourishes the developing embryo, and a YOKE is a wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plow or cart that they are to pull.
Now, read it again without thinking about chickens. The light bulb finally went off for me when my pastor explained using a picture that depicted two oxen carrying something heavy together with a wooden piece connecting them to help distribute the weight between them.
When God is telling us to take His yoke, He is offering to share the burden of whatever is weighing us down. AND if God and I are sharing the weight of something, I think it's safe to say He's going to be carrying the bulk of the weight.
Imagine the Hulk and Tinkerbelle being yoked to the same wooden cart. Who is really going to be doing the work? Just call me Tinkerbelle because I'm pretty sure I would rely on the Hulk to assume the majority of the load.
I challenge you to go to God with your burdens. Whatever feels heavy in your life, whatever wears you down and feels like too much to handle, give it to Him. Let Him help you carry it! He never asked us to do it alone!
Dear Lord, THANK YOU for giving me rest when I am weary. Help me to give my worries and troubles to you to handle. You are my loving God, and I accept your help in bearing these burdens.
I also thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.
Reflection: Is there something you are struggling to carry all on your own?
