How to lighten your load

​It is interesting how smoothly scripture interweaves theology and life. And of course it should be that way. Theology provides the “why” for life, and ethical instruction the “how” for theology. It is a “because of this do this” relationship. God has made known his will to you, the child-like, your role is to follow through. And of course you will get tired, so when you find yourself that way from carrying through on what God has assigned, listen to Jesus as he says, “Come to me . . . and I will give you the rest that refreshes” (v. 28). God’s plan for us is not “Give it all you got ‘til you ain’t got no more,” but a balance between the excitement of “working” for him, mingled with times of stepping aside for the refreshment that only He can give.
       Jesus pictures the balanced life as a combination of work and rest. Productive work requires a yoke and that means responsibility. The Christian life is not a 70-year stretch of relaxing in the sunshine of redemption, but a serious combination of commitment to the task and periods of refreshment so we can do the next thing even better.
      But let’s talk about the yoke, one that is like his. My summers in the 30’s were spent on farms in North Dakota. Mechanized machinery was beginning to come in, but horses wore yokes and when we yoked up six horses to pull a combine it made a big difference how well the yokes fit and how the six horses were arranged to pull the load. In Christ we “pull a load” (just as he did) but he invites us to “take on a yoke that is like his” (v. 29). And what would that be? I assume it is a yoke that will fit my gifts, temperament, and time. He doesn’t expect us to do everything but only that for which he has prepared us for. Wear your own yoke, don’t take one that was designed for somebody else. Bad yokes bruise. Get the right one, one that fits you and is easy to wear.
       God want to show us how to work effectively, how to “meet life” (v. 29). Jesus said that his yoke fits so well that the load you will carry using a yoke like his will seem light” (v. 30). And why is that? I believe the reason is that he is “gentle and humble in spirit.” Incidentally these are the only two qualities that Jesus ever uses of himself. It’s the “gentle” man who uncomplainingly accepts his responsibility and moves ahead with composure because God never assigns us a task for which he has not prepared us. That is why the load will seems “light.” Earlier we noted that the balanced life has its rest periods, and that is true, but at the same time if we approach our responsibilities with a “gentle and humble spirit” our load will “seem light.”
       So here’s to the productive life for which God has prepared us. May it have that certain lightness that comes from “working” as Jesus did and taking a bit of rest time for the deep refreshment that only God can give.