"Yoke"

So you heard the preacher say it,

Your mama said it, too,

And seems like both are waiting,

To see what you will do.

And it’s not that you’re an outlaw,

Or that you do not care,

But you ain’t no holy roller,

Just do your best, you swear.

And most think you’re a good guy,

And a handy cowboy, true,

But when it comes to Jesus,

And the life that He makes new,

You just ain’t sure about it,

And you wonder ‘bout the cost,

Known others who have done it,

No tellin’ what they lost.

And what about those hypocrites,

And the money-grubbin’ pastors,

The posers and pretenders,

And all of their disasters.

But you know down in your heart,

It’s not how others act,

But only about Jesus,

And the eternal fact,

The He died and rose for  you,

And wants us all to know,

That if we will surrender,

We’ll have the Spirit’s flow.

The only way to heaven,

Abundant life He’ll give,

But never on our own terms,

We have to die to live.

Okay, old son, I’m prayin’,

That you go on and get it done,

The longer that you put it off,

You load the devil’s gun.

Maybe just step off that horse,

In a far and quiet place,

Ask the Lord to take control,

And humbly seek His face.

And He will fill in every blank,

Knows and loves you best,

Take His yoke and burden, too,

And He 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. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30, NAS)

Jesus speaks of being yoked together with Him. When we accept His yoke we are saying yes to His leadership and control of our lives. We are surrendering to a life of obedience. Jesus characterized His yoke as easy and His burden as light. Compared to what? Compared to the yoke of selfish living and the burden of addiction and obsession it brings. The joy of living in Jesus’ yoke far outweighs any sacrifice we are required to make. There and there alone we find rest.

Lord, help us to accept Your yoke, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Alfredo Rodriguez, used by permission. Thanks, Alfredo, and God bless you.