What is your yoke?

Galatians 5:1 says "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (NIV)

Among many things, dictionary.com describes a 'yoke' as:

1) an agency of oppression, subjection, servitude, etc.
2) an emblem or symbol of subjection, servitude, slavery, etc., as an archway under which prisoners of war were compelled to pass by the ancient Romans and others.
3) something that couples or binds together; a bond or tie.

So what is your yoke? What oppresses you? What do you serve? What, or whom, are you subject to? What are you bound to?

Ideally, we'd all be able to say Christ, and Christ alone. But would this be a true statement? Maybe sometimes, but probably not all the time. If I'm honest with myself I have to admit that I allow myself to be yoked to things other than Christ. That's right, I allow myself. Sometimes it may be my job, a relationship, some desire of the flesh, pride, laziness, disobedience.

When my God, and His love undeniable reveals this to me (and He always does), I picture myself standing on a road yoked with whatever it may have been that I allowed to replace Christ. What a horrible picture. Thankfully God's grace is good and never ending and His forgiveness is plentiful; only by asking for this forgiveness am I once again able to fully yoke myself with Christ.

Whatever it may be that you find yourself yoked to, I encourage you to lay it at the foot of the Cross. As we approach the end of 2008, may we be diligent in choosing the yoke of Christ over anything else, any other distraction in our life. Christ said: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matt 11:28-30)

In a time when so many of us are tired and weary, the yoke of Christ promises rest. May God's undeniable love continue to grant you the peace, mercy, and courage to choose Him over anything else in this fallen world. Peace be with you.

Celebrate the Season

So on a whim I bought a magnet from Books A Million that has this saying.....'Celebrate the Season'. The letters s-o-n in Season are capitalized, so it's SeaSON. I thought this was a great way to remind folks, including myself, of why we truly celebrate Christmas. I think we've come to a point where it's time we take back Christmas for what it truly is meant to be: A celebration of Christ's birth, as well as his life, death, and resurrection. Not a celebration of gifts, money, or material wealth. So this Christmas Season may we remember, may we remind others, and may we never forget, the true reason we celebrate Christmas: the birth of a Son who would demonstrate His undeniable love in amazing ways and who continues to do so today. This Christmas, may we each shine a little brighter and be a little bolder and share His love with those around us. Merry Christmas!

The King and I

My sister gently reminded me that I had not posted in over a month. Ironically, my last post had been about spreading the light. I'd like to say I've been too busy doing so to keep my blog up to date, but that would be untrue. I have however, continued to experience His love undeniable in new and amazing ways. I hope that in some small ways, I have shared this love with those around me.

Life has certainly been a roller coaster lately although in many ways, uneventful and empty of the things 'that really count'. But then again, when I really stop and look around me, I know this to be untrue. The are hundreds of things that 'really count' all around me. He is all around me. He blesses me with a beautiful sunset, an encouraging sunrise, a moon that lets me know all is well; my God is with me and He is in control.

Church today was about Christ being the King of Kings, Lord of all. Is He truly my King? Is He truly my Lord? Or do I try to take on that responsibility? The Pastor shared a quote "If God has called you to be a missionary, don't stop to be a king." God has called each one of us to be missionaries. Each one of us to share His love undeniable. May we strive to acheive this goal every day in every circumstance. He is the King, our job is to serve. Trust me, it's better that way.