Are you able to rest? Serious question. Speaking from a woman’s perspective, I feel like it’s harder for women to rest than it is for men. I don’t think I’m alone in this, but even when I don’t have a to-do list for the day, I feel guilty if I’m not doing something
productive. Although I will say that I am not someone who systematically cleans closets or rooms on a grand scale to feel productive. However, I am good at finding minor tasks to do that make me feel like I’m not wasting the day...
Wasting the day… Is rest really a waste? "In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves". Psalm 127:2 The Lord grants us rest not just when we are weary, but as a gift.
The Bible mentions rest several times. Indeed, God set the example when He rested on the 7th day after six days of creating. "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God..." Exodus 20:8-10. Interesting that the Lord commands rest. It seems contradictory to the plethora of scripture that encourages us to serve with our whole hearts. Yet God understands our need for rest as a source of recharging so that we are better able to serve Him with full intention.
Not only that, Jesus models for us how to rest IN our burdens. After all, burdens can leave us exhausted, as if we had done a hard day’s work. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls". Matthew 11:28-30
Let’s take a look at four ways to enter God’s rest when you are feeling burdened. We will use our verse from Matthew 11 above as our Teacher.
Team Work
Our verse is an oft-quoted one, one that we probably are very familiar with, but yesterday, it hit me in a whole new light…
We have a living history farm near our home. Years ago, they had a team of huge oxen. I remember standing next to these gentle giants, wondering if the yoke they were wearing felt heavy or bothersome to their necks. In the past, when I pondered our verse, I would think about this scene at the farm, wondering how this heavy, metaphoric piece of wood could give me rest.
Researching the actual function of the yoke, I discovered that one of its primary purposes was to unite two animals, forcing them to move and pull in unison, thereby preventing one from lagging or pulling too fast.
I was now beginning to see our verse in a different light… When we bring our burdens to Jesus, He becomes part of our team as He not only shares in the weight of what was formerly weighing us down, but He carries those burdens for us. We are now joined to Him by the metaphorical yoke. When we are lagging or moving too fast in whatever situation has us feeling burdened, He will make that load feel lighter because He is right next to us, setting the pace, showing us the proper way to move through our weariness.
The next time you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or burdened by circumstances, envision the Lord yoked alongside you. Let that image bring you rest by remembering what Jesus did when He was busy and had much to do… “Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and slipped out to a solitary place to pray. Simon and his companions went to look for Him, and when they found Him, they said, “Everyone is looking for You!”… Matthew 1:35-37. Jesus wasn’t ignoring His circumstances; He was “resting” in the presence of God to prepare for the work. May we do the same?
Power Distribution
As we learn more about the yoke, it turns out that although it may look heavy and burdensome, it is actually designed in that manner to rest across the oxen’s broad necks, transferring the immense weight of the load to their shoulders and chests, enabling them to move heavy objects.
Now there is a metaphor! When we bring our burdens to the Lord and take HIS yoke upon us, we are not adding more weight, but indeed lightening our load! We have entrusted our burdens to Jesus, so that He can help us carry them, a load that we were never meant to carry alone. In doing so, what might have seemed like an insurmountable situation will begin to feel like one that you can move through with Jesus yoked by your side. Even in the midst of those circumstances, our bodies and minds will begin to rest, knowing that Jesus is sharing His strength.
May we always remember to allow Jesus to share our load. We are not to do things in our own strength, but by God’s power and might. Through that power distribution, we will find rest for our souls.
Connection to the Load
The oxen yoke may be primitive, but it’s quite a piece of engineering. Apparently, there is a central ring or attachment point on the yoke that connects it to the plow, wagon, or sled, harnessing the oxen’s strength.
Jesus is our connection point. When we bring our worries or concerns to Him, we humble ourselves before the Lord and acknowledge that our situation is too big, and we need the Lord’s wisdom and strength to navigate the circumstances. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7
How amazing it is that we have a God who cares for us so much that He wants to take our burdens upon Himself. That’s not to say that He will make them disappear. Sometimes, there are difficult circumstances that we must walk through. However, when we come to Him with those burdens in genuine connection, we will find strength even in the midst of them. In relying on God’s supernatural strength, we will enter into God’s rest.
Guidance
The most interesting part of the metaphor of the yoke is the fact that the farmer guides the oxen. They work together, sharing their strength to complete the task, BUT they need to be led in the work.
While Jesus was on earth, He set the example of submitting to God and seeking His guidance. "For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me." John 6:38
When we come to Jesus with our burdens, not only will He carry the load alongside us, BUT He is our intermediary to the Father. Jesus will intercede for you in all that is weighing you down. Through that intercession, the Father will guide you in how to move forward in those heavy circumstances, while Jesus will give you rest as you do so.
When we bring our burdens to Jesus, not only will we receive His strength, but we will be guided by the Father, which will give us a fresh perspective in the midst of difficulty and bring us rest.
In closing, there is something so comforting about our verse, especially when you envision yoked oxen, moving in unison, calmly, but surely; gentle yet firm, and then apply it to Jesus yoked alongside of us. When we mimic Jesus’ movements, His energy, His peace, His calm, we will enter into the most beautiful rest, even in the midst of the load we are carrying.
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for providing the gift of rest, not only in our work, but in our burdens. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Is it difficult for you to cast your burdens upon the Lord? Why?
How will you enter into God’s rest this week?
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Anastasiia Krivenok
