It is
nearly impossible to get the sufferer to believe that what is happening is for
good. Etched in our personality is the
determination to want none of the trials we face. Adam and Eve groaned under the weight of
Satan's temptation and refused to endure it courageously; consequently the rest
of us are marred by their heritage. For
most seeds to sprout, the ground must be broken and torn apart, a violent
tearing of what was settled and at peace.
Even the seed itself must be blown to bits before it can find its place
in God's design. The Lord's yoke is the
most profound way He transforms us into living, breathing images of His perfect
glory. No trouble or hardship or difficult
person comes to you without God's loving hand making the gate swing wide open. The yoke is easy as long as you keep your
mind fixed on Christ and do not let it be split apart by Satan's accusing and
your own whining. There is kindness and
goodness and humility and patience and sincere faith and hope ready to be born
in you if you will just settle your thoughts on the crucified Savior who has
suffered for your complete salvation.
Nothing is finished with you; you must bear the yoke before you can move
along into perfection. The character of
the yoke bearing Christian is the loveliest sight in all the universe. Imagine the hunk of marble barking at
Michelangelo for wrecking his day. Look
in the mirror. Are you the canvass upon
which Rembrandt is recklessly slopping paint or the paper that Mozart is
scratching his notes? Are you not in
the hands of a far greater genius who has a plan for you that will be worked
out perfectly? "But the
yoke", you cry. Why this yoke? The greater the yoke, the more settled your
Lord's determination to make you into a masterpiece of love and glory.
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. Matthew
11:29-30 NIV
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