But seriously, the wonder of it all…

We finished the Be Still series Sunday morning at church.

This one was about being yoked to Jesus and our pastor showed us a picture of what a yoke looks like and explained how it worked when two oxen put their heads through this contraption and he suggested that it might look unappealing to us as humans but it really truly is the way to peace.

True peace.

If you accept the right invitation.

Because we really all are yoked to something.

Or someone.

Even if it’s just our own stubborn self.

I can remember a time where that yoke looked restrictive.

It would mean compliance and what if this wonderful “me” got all swallowed up and looked like a caricature of what the world had started getting me to believe a “Christian” looks like.

Until I came to the bottom of what I can be without Jesus on the throne.

Until I realized that Grace was offering me to slip my neck into that lovely invitation where the God of the Universe was offering to humble HIMSELF and allow HIMSELF to be yoked to one such as me.

One who is stubborn…one who sits down when movement is needed…one who turns left when turning right is the best way…one who tends to want to look back instead of plowing straight…one who gets easily distracted and can be somewhat of a high maintenance ox.

But He sees me in my struggles and He says…

Come to me…

Let’s do this together my daughter.

So that whole yoke thing?

That looks very appealing to me these days.

The wonder of it all is not that I willingly put on His yoke.

The wonder is that He is willing to be yoked with me.

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 at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”  NLT  Matthew 11:28-30