Yoked With Christ

 

  Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Matt 11:28-30 (NLT)

I've fallen again into a pit of fear and despair making all seem dark and hopeless.  How is it I keep falling into this pit, Lord?  It is the pull of the old self that draws us down with it's deceitful desires, wounds and weakness, selfishness and pride. It's not the cares of life, but ourselves that are our heavy burden. It was Henry Van Dyke who said, "Self is the only prison that can bind the soul."*

Yet, I am yoked with Christ.  He being the stronger of the two should always take the lead, but sometimes if I try to step ahead, he lets me lead until I fall again into the pit.  He doesn't leave me there. He doesn't condemn me.  There he waits for me to acknowledge my condition and look to him.  Then he will pull me out of that pit in his time and his way.  It's easy for him.  Yoked with him I may still stumble, but he will always be there to pull me up and steady me again.

Lord, thank you for loving me, for being my Savior.  Thank you, that because I am forever yoked with you, I cannot fail. Come quickly and pull me up from the pit of despair. Lift me up onto solid ground again so that I may praise you with joy.  Do not let my weaknesses overwhelm me. Hold me up, Lord.  Keep me from falling.  Thank you that you will never let me go.


*Quoted from Let Go, by Fenelon. Introduction.