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| Sunrise on Folly Beach, June 25, 2020 |
These are provocative words from Jesus. The invitation is clear and it is compelling. But the last thing I want to do when I am stressed and burdened, full of fear and anxiety, is one more thing to do! Please, just leave me alone! I have enough on my plate! Can't you see I'm already at capacity?
Yet, Jesus is calling us over to Him in our fear and anxiety and asking us to do something.
"Take My yoke upon you. That's right! Put it on! Let Me share this burden with you."
Now how do I take the yoke of Jesus? How do I put His yoke over my head so that we are joined?
For me it is done in centering prayer each morning. For 20-30 minutes, I sit in silence with the Holy Spirit of Jesus and rest in Him. I take the yoke of Jesus and join myself to Him. It is there that I find rest for my soul.
The peace that descends upon me as I sit in silence is remarkable. No matter what is going in my life, the Holy Spirit calms my soul and restores peace.
Joined with Him, I go forth into the day and meet stressed out people with peace in my heart. Whatever burdens or challenges come that day, I deal with them yoked with Jesus. They are His burdens and challenges, too. Together, we creatively deal with whatever comes our way.
This pandemic has brought a great deal of fear and anxiety to most people. These are stressful times in which we live. We can be certain that each day will bring its share of challenges and even burdens to bear.
Yet, even in these times, it is possible to live in peace, with a rested spirit, full of joy.
In late afternoon, about 5:00 p.m., I must be intentional about sitting with Jesus again in complete silence. Whatever burdens may have come to me that day are dissolved as I rest in Jesus. Another sit of 20-30 minutes of centering prayer restores peace and helps me to have a restful evening.
I have surrendered my life to the Spirit of Jesus. I am yoked to Him. I rest in Him. I trust Him to guide me. His yoke is easy; His burden is light; in Him I find rest for my soul. But I have to be intentional about taking on the yoke of Jesus twice each day in centering prayer. This is the "secret" to my calm and rested soul. I highly recommend it!
"For God alone my soul in silence waits." Psalm 62
2 comments:
Amen to that Laura Ellen. You have found the rest in Christ as He did with His Father, Almighty God. Wonderful!
Blessings to you, Bruce. Thank you for your kind comments.
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