The Beth Moore Conference that I attended in April (the one I mentioned in my last blog entry) was my first. It was wonderful! She titled her message, “The Holiness of Wholeness”. The text she used was from I Thessalonians. She had a seven point outline: Seven ways to become whole. Point #2 was the role others have in our wholeness. We cannot become whole without other people in our lives, this is the way God made us. To shut down, clam up, isolate ourselves during challenging times removes us from accountability and from community. It causes apathy or lack of interest, encourages us to wallow in self pity or pride and robs others of being a help in times of need. We need a close “community” of faith. They are to be our encouragers. It will be OK with us when they tell us enough is enough, lift us up by our boot straps, and help us to get back on track. Beth referred to this as “getting in our business”. But, can they be our “yoke-mate”?
Here is what I have learned so far:
At the beginning of our journey, our yokes are strapped on, our wagons are loaded and we get to choose our yoke-mate. This is crucial because it will have an affect on how we handle the load, and how we deal with relationships along the way. It can possibly determine the outcome, but will definitely determine the shape we will be in at the end of our journey.
Sometimes we choose to carry our burdens alone. But the weight is too much for us. We experience spiritual, emotional, and physical weariness. It is just too heavy for us. We are tired, bent over, can’t see for the sweat dripping in our eyes, we stumble and fall taking others down with us, loose our way, become impatient, mindful of only the end or destination, become fearful, and doubt God’s presence in our lives. We tend to want to blame others or even God when things do not go the way we want them to. We can become angry, bitter, and full of self-pity. As Beth Moore paced the stage during the conference, she would on occasion ask us, “Am I wearing ya’ll slam out?” At the end of our journey, will we be a heaped up, tongue waging, wore slam out kind of tired? Or will we be boastful and full of self when things go the way we want them to and we haven‘t invited God on the journey?
On this journey, there will be curious onlookers: Those who will try to advise, judge (I wonder what they did to deserve this?), those who will laugh at or mock us because they get enjoyment in seeing others down (it is true, there are people who are like that), and then there are those who will just be glad it is you and not them.
Our spouses can be our greatest supporters, listeners, advisers, and prayer partners. They understand better than anyone because they are possibly on the same journey. But, can they be our yoke-mate?
We cannot carry our burdens alone.
We are not to let our “community” share the burden of our yoke.
We are not to allow our spouse to become our yoke-mate.
“Take my yoke…”
God wants to be one of the two.
He wants that privilege.
Why?
For Him, it is easy and light. He is gentle and meek. But, mainly because He wants to. He loves us that much.
My journey may be painful, unpleasant, and unwanted; but there has been unexplainable peace, joy, and contentment present in my life that is indescribable when I have allowed God to take the yoke. I have plowed full steam ahead feeling His presence along side me. It has been a time of growing, a time of closeness with my Father, a time of dependence, and an unbelievable opportunity to show Him to others.
Yoked together with God, the journey, as unpleasant as the circumstance may be, can be spectacular and the destination victorious. The End.
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