It is time for them to learn how to carry a yoke. They had grown up. It can took us some time to let them mastered the art of plowing the land. At a very young age, we started working on our paddy field cultivating rice.
We used water buffaloes for plowing the land. They suited well in the narrow terrain of a paddy field, even in the slopes of the hills. In the process, we saved fuel and money.
They can carry the yoke at ease once they are trained. It can be difficult, for us and for them. They are more than hesitant to carry the yoke at first. Yet they never forget the art of carrying a yoke, even when they are being let off once the cultivating seasons are over.
Once they can carry the yoke, they become more valued. We did not want them to get drained of all their energies. They are fed in time and taken cared.
It was not about enjoyment, they are toiling in the field for us, their owners. It never was a sort of punishment to let them work, they are serving their purpose. And we loved them a lot.
Along the way, I had observed this: when they showed their willingness to work, their yoke seems to be lighter. It might not be lighter but they get treated well in the process.
Carrying a Yoke:
Carrying a yoke is inescapable in the life of these domestic water buffaloes. We have a purpose while domesticating them. It becomes a responsibility on their part.
We, humans, are bounded by yoke in our life too. Life in itself is a yoke. In the meantime, our yoke could be lighter. That’s a possibility. God, our Creator, would work out His divine purpose in creating us. But with Him, side by side, our life could be easier and less burdened.
Now, I heard some people saying; ‘accept Jesus Christ as your savior, your life’s miseries will disappear’. I am not denying it. (That is for another topic.) But here I wanted to focus on carrying the yoke with Christ.
The Offered Yoke:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened. I will give you rest. (And it doesn’t end there.) Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.” We have to carry His yoke. In order to really get rest or the miseries disappear, we had to be trained and mastered the art of carrying His yoke with Him.
It implies that we need to don a new yoke, which also means that all the burdened of carrying a yoke did not disappeared, in a fortnight. If His blessings are the main reason for letting Him inside our heart, we will not get rest! (Matthew 11:28-29)
Carry on the yoke with Him, the once burdened yoke would become easy and light. We will be carrying a lighter yoke, until that day we would be fully stripped off the yoke, in His heavenly abode.
Freedom from sin was attained once we let Him into our heart. But from that day onward, we are continually afflicted by the work of evil.
Affliction came in different form. The synonyms of affliction are: suffering, distress, pain, hardship, misfortune, adversity, sorrow, misery, and many more. These synonyms are, in one way, the forms of affliction.
These afflictions would harm, and caused us pain, but they are on the side of the defeated group. The head has been crushed but the body still moving.
Our yoke could be lighter by being with Jesus Christ. There could be some big burden to carry while on the run. But the offered yoke could be attained from time to time, even if it seems hard to carry with Him all the time.
To the Lighter Yoke:
Sometimes I feel my yoke is too heavy to carry on; the family obligations, health not improving as desired, the under-performing investments, and the likes. But I am blessed to have moved on the lighter side of the yoke too.
It is my desire to learn and mastered the art of carrying this yoke. To really take the yoke offered by our Savior: The transition period could, sometimes, takes time. That is emptying self for the Holy Spirit to take over. However, it is an achievable goal, indeed.
Switching over from the heavy yoke to the lighter yoke can calm tense moments. We have our free will to do it so. There is a verse in the Bible which encourages me a lot.
When we feel deeply burdened let us focus on this: “For My yoke is easy and my burden is light,” declares Christ Jesus. (Matthew 11:30) Let us exchange our yoke so that we would feel lighter.
