17 January

LET GO OF THE HEAVY LOADS

“Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest. For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light.”

(Matthew 11:28-30, GNT)

Heavy loads as a yoke on the neck and shoulders? That reminds me of fetching water from the stream in my village during the Nigerian civil war. Every one of us children, from ages 5 to15, had to carry a vessel of water on his or her head. It could be a clay pot or metal bucket according to your age – but, whichever, it was a heavy load. Many trips were made daily to fill the large clay pots for home use.

But the loads Jesus Christ is talking about here are the loads of the troubles of everyday life. Wouldn’t we all wish we wouldn’t ever have to worry about anything – the burdens of tomorrow; the burdens of sin and its consequences; physical and emotional burdens; oppression, persecution and even demands of society? 

Jesus promises rest and an easy yoke. The fact that he mentions an easy yoke – a yoke nonetheless – implies that there are requirements for entry into His rest. Compare the many trips of fetching water in small containers to just opening a tap of running water! Christ yoke is not about the rules of religion but the grace to live holily; it is not unrequited love but unconditional love; it is not war and troubles but peace and life abundant, a life of spiritual productivity and purpose. That is my choice, what is yours?

ACTION: Stop carrying the cooking gas cylinder on your head while in the elevator!

PRAYER: Lord, remind me daily that my whole duty is to “fear you and keep your commandments.”