Servitude or Freedom

A yoke unites two animals so they can work in tandem. When Paul Simon sang, “I am a rock. I am an island,” he was expressing a lie people tell themselves. We all are connected or yoked, but does the relationship make us stronger?

What happens when we yoke ourselves to our selfish, willful behavior? “My transgressions have been formed into a yoke, fastened together by His hand; they have been placed on my neck, and the Lord has broken my strength.” (Lamentations 1:14 HCSB)

In contrast, Jesus offers us liberation: “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 HCSB)

In every daily circumstance we each face this dilemma:

• Will I yoke myself to my selfish desires, which sap my strength and leave me weary, burdened, and enslaved?
• Will I accept the yoke Jesus offers me, which provides me His holy strength and sets me free to love and serve those around me?

Ponder the choices: yoke of servitude or yoke of freedom. Pray and take action accordingly.