Read Matthew 11:28-30. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
I call this the Great Invitation. Living in this is essential for us to enable us to play our part in the Great Commission.
We long for rest for our souls, but we find coming to Jesus and actually taking His yoke (ie the one He has specifically designed for us) difficult. We are so used to depending on ourselves.
Being still … waiting on God … Meditation and contemplation … are not our natural inclination. To do so requires determination on our part …a matter of self-discipline.
Learning to Quiet our Spirit
How do we do this? …where do we start?
Note Paul’s prayer for his people. Ephesians 1: 17 “I keep asking that God … May give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know Him better.”
We need to ask!
Find a quiet place … sit & be still before God. Don’t feel you have to say or do anything … simply be still and quiet … looking to Him …
Contemplate His mercy, forgiveness, compassion and steadfast love. Consider His works of power and His willingness to take up the cross and His strength to pray not my will but Yours.
Now consider the words: Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart.
With this prayer in your heart take some time to sit at the feet of Jesus and ask these questions.
- What does take My yoke look like for me…. Specifically …practically?
- Are there areas / burdens / yokes that I carry at present that are not Your Yoke? Am I prepared to lay these down so I can take on Your yoke?
- What obstacles prevent me from responding to Your invitation or what have I found difficult in taking up Your yoke?
Remember: “He is able to do much more than we can ask or even imagine”. (Ephesians 3:20)
Pastor Len Russo.