but, we are going to get there... so now, i have finally submitted to allowing God to continue plowing the field here... He worked it even before we moved, so for me to try to carry the burden of boxes and stuff laying around is taking our blessed move from a place of honoring Him,to a place where frustration is inherent... so I invite you in Lord, to take Your place in our home... to make it what You need, in Your time... not mine, please be honored in this move... please teach us to love you in all things!
i don't want this season to be wrought with frustration and disappointment! God has made Himself so known, so real in our move and my heart's desire is for it to bring Him honor... sp prayed last night that i wouldn't feel like i have to work on the house all the time, and she went on to say... because it's our home, it doesn't matter how many boxes are here... wow!... it is so hard to swallow the thought that my time has been consumed with some of the wrong things... while trying to do the "right things" (in my mind)... well, i have forfeited the "less is more" theory for now...and have embraced the idea that we are "under construction"... because i believe, through submitting to the Lord, He will construct a place, a season, a home that will become my heart's desire "less is more"... a dear friend sent this to me~ thank you k!!!
Hand to the Plow
After getting the kids situated in school and into a tentative rhythm for the year, you might finally be at a place to stop, catch a breath and re-evaluate. For me, rather than feeling relieved and refreshed, I'm feeling more burdened and stressed.
As I reflect on the following verses, I question "Where's the `easy yoke' that you talk about, Jesus?"
Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burde ns, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly ["is easy" (NIV)] and the burden I give you is light. Matthew 11:28-30
Why are we often weary and burdened-down? Here are a few thoughts:
As my mentor reminded me, we often take on too much or too many day's work. There is Scriptural truth to the phrase "one day at a time". Jesus commanded us (yes, "commanded") in Matthew 6:34 not to worry about tomorrow. "Today's trouble is enough for today." (NLT)
We often go it alone. We are "leaning on our own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5-6) rather than on His. Too often we try to work FOR God rather than working WITH Him where He is already at work. It's so much easier to plow a field that has already been broken up than to plow fallow ground. Plus, the yoke is made for two, not just one. The Message Bible phrases it as "watch how I do it...walk with me and work with me."
And finally, too often we have consciously or sub-consciously bought into the "easy street" mentality (aka "health-wealth" teachings). We think that following Jesus should be easy with few problems. Didn't he say His yoke was "easy"? He did, but a yoke implies work and a burden has to be carried.
The truth is we're still under the curse of sin. Things still breakdown, run amuck and frustrate us to no end. Our bodies still get sick and loved-ones die. All of creation and His creatures are still groaning under the burden of sin and rebellion - until that Day when we enter his Rest and all creation is renewed and brought into the glorious freedom of God (Romans 8).
We all have Burdens: our finances, health, family relationships, or even the burden of fears and doubts about our faith (like John the Baptist in the early verses of Matthew 11). And when the burdens get overwhelmingly heavy, it's easy to think about abandoning everything. Try another job, another shopping spree, another drink or pill, another relationship, and maybe even another god.
But when it gets right down to it, we must conclude like Peter when many were abandoning Jesus, "Lord, to whom would we go? You alone have the words that give eternal life." (John 6:68 NLT) If we don't trust Him, our only option is despair. But with Jesus, the burden is always lighter and easier to bear because He bears it with us.
The stresses of these last days are increasing according to the Scriptures. So expect it and hold on even tighter to Him. Let's not give up and say it's been in vain that we've followed Jesus and therefore betray this generation of children (Psalm 73). Instead, let's keep ourselves yoked with Him and our hands to the plow until He comes!
Father, i give you today, to do with it what You will... i give You our home, to construct it to be a placed that honors You...let me not toil in vein, but work for You... let me not stray from your ways, but follow in them... thank you for rescuing me... for holding our family close to Your heart... i pray You will multiply my minutes today Father, that I may accomplish only what will bring my family joy and glory to You, only what is necessary for today... Lord, plow this place, this season, and let us build on a foundation you have laid before us... it is in Your sweet name i pray... amen
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