The Messiah

My new car, an Acura RDX, has a state of the art sound system in 10 speaker surround sound. (There is a new type of disc on the market called DVD-Audio, which actually remixes the sound beyond stereo into 5.1 channel surround sound. I only have the sampler disc that came with the car, but the sound is unreal -- like you're at the concert, surrounded by the music.) ANYHOW, I'm enjoying my plain old stereo CDs on this incredible system.

Since receiving the car in December I've listened almost exclusively to a two disc recording of Handel's Messiah, listening to the words, all Scripture, over and over along with the miraculous music. What hit me recently were the words: His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

That familiar verse , Matthew 11:30, hit me like a 2 by 4 in the car the other day. If that is true (and all Scripture is true) then why does life feel so heavy at times? What am I missing?

Yesterday I began to preview two new Bible studies. I'll soon be leading a 40 day study on "How to develop a Quiet time," so I skimmed that workbook, and began another workbook entitled "Praying God's Way" as well. In that study another verse flew out at me, from Genesis 4:26 where it states Then men began to call upon the name of the LORD.

To quote the author of the study, The name of the LORD is not just a label or identifcation tag. The "name" of the LORD refers to all He is, His character, His person, who He is and what He can do...to call on His name means to connect with all that He is... [Rick Shepherd, Following God Discipleship Series, Praying God's Way, page 4]

How often do I consciously connect with all that He is. Have I ever? This is God to whom I am yoked, and yet I'm feeling that my burden is heavy? Obviously I'm pulling in the wrong direction, wasting my energies trying to steer the team, when I could be relaxing into our path and marveling at the blessing of being yoked with "all that He is." But...I argue...this part of the path isn't where I want to be... Hmmmmm....the yoke is feeling heavier as I pull and struggle.

God created me highly independent, with a sharp mind and a lot of capability. I am blessed, and I thank Him for it. I am discovering, though, that none of those characteristics are so helpful in a yoke. At least not when the independent fast thinking and capable ox has a plan of her own. Putting my capablities to use for HIS plan is very rewarding.

And so, I'm wondering, if when I feel the "heaviness" of certain situations, and my impulse is to ignore, avoid or flee, I should instead lean into the yoke and call out to my yoke mate. If I cry out to all that He is, leaning in rather than pulling away, perhaps this silly stubborn ox would have a lot less chafing and exhaustion!

Just a thought. And now it's time to head off for work.

Who knows what I'll learn on the 2o minute commute with my Messiah...