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.