You lead, Lord

The old Sinatra anthem, “I did it my way,” is as American as apple pie.  Woven into our national legends are themes that encourage self-reliance and independence. First graders aspire to be the line leader for the day. Awards go to those who take charge and shake things up. But in all  this emphasis on being at the top we potentially rob ourselves of peace and even effectiveness in life.  There is a place for followership, too. 

Jesus invites us to find rest in Him and note how. "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, NIV) The yoke is

a “device for joining together a pair of draft animals, especially oxen, usually consisting of a crosspiece with two bow-shaped pieces, each enclosing the head of an animal.” (dictionary.com)  It takes away the freedom for that animal to wander off to an inviting tuft of grass or pool of water.  Yes, the yoke was and is a symbol of oppression and abuse.  So take careful note that Jesus does not say He will slap a yoke on us! He encourages us to put on the yoke that ties us to Him. It is a voluntary submission.

Submission! It’s a despised word for many.  However, the Christian who desires true rest, who would live in the most profound contentment, will choice to say, “You lead, Lord.” He will give himself to the yoke of Christ Jesus.  The Lord promises that He won’t jerk us around either. He is gentle!  There is a quality of Christian life that is only discovered when we stop trying to be the one in charge.  Submission is not the same thing as resignation.  Many encounter disappoint and/or defeat and just give up.  There is no joy, no rest in that place.  Who wants to be beaten down?

Followership is difficult because it involves death to Self. Be encouraged that even Jesus wrestled with embracing the purposes of His Father.  In the Garden as He faced the Cross, becoming sin for us, going through the agony of crucifixion, His intense emotions made Him sweat blood, literally!  He cried out for another way, but ultimately, He stepped into the yoke and let the Father lead.  “Jerry, that’s not a great illustration for me,” you may be saying. “I don’t want to die.”   But, we must. Like Jesus, our exaltation, our greatest glory, is not found in forcing our way on the world, but in taking up our cross and letting Him lead.

Are you discontent?  Is your life marked by restlessness, complaint, striving, and competition?  The wisdom of the world will tell you to take charge, to reshape your situation to make things more favorable to yourself. The myth of leadership is that it provides greater freedom.  True leaders are servants and the greater their position of leadership, the more people they serve!  Real rest, Jesus says, is found when we take His yoke, when we step into line with Him, letting Him lead.

Think long and hard about this word from the Word. “While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him. And God designated him to be a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.” (Heb 5:7-10, NLT)   Here’s the focus phrase - Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience.  Will we choose that way that for ourselves?

Yoke. Rest. Serve. Peace. God’s Promise. Rich Provisions.

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Blessed Assurance

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine.
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine.
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Perfect submission, perfect delight!

Visions of rapture now burst at my sight.

Angels descending, bring from above,

Echoes of mercy whispers of love.

Perfect submission, all is at rest!

I in my Savior am happy and blest.

Watching and waiting, looking above.

Filled with His goodness lost in His love.

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior all the day long!

Fanny Jane Crosby | Phoebe Palmer Knapp

© Words: Public Domain