YOKED TOGETHER WITH YOU | KAIROSE GLOBAL | OCTOBER 2020

Author: C.C. Joseph

Intro: When we put our trust in the Father’s love, and know that he is by our side helping us carry our burden, our crisis situations become moments of God’s overwhelming grace and power.

When going through tough times rather than looking up for help, look to your side and see the helper yoked together with you. 

A very comforting portion of the Bible is Mathew 11:28-30, 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. Reassuring indeed. But zoom in closer, and these verses may seem intimidating. Instead of asking those who are weary and heavy burdened to lay down their burdens, the good Lord seems to be adding tonnage by asking us to take up his yoke ... Is He actually offering to help?

Great teachers of old, tell us our Lord is actually offering to be yoked with us, if we would only hitch on. Rather than leave us to slog through life alone, Jesus is offering to pull alongside us, like two oxen, ploughing a field together. 

In difficult times it is natural to look up and ask the Lord for help, but maybe we have to realise that Jesus is not merely up there to bless us, but He is actually beside us, yoked with us. Perhaps a sideward glance would reveal Jesus alongside us. His calm, reassuring look telling us, ‘Fear not, my child. I am with you.’

One night, when my eldest daughter was five, we were enjoying a fireworks display in our area. The sound of crackers punctuated with bursts of coloured sparks enthralled her little heart. All was well until the loud blasts of a long string of crackers rattled her and she started crying. I bent over impulsively and grabbed her in my arms. A few seconds later her crying stopped even though the noise and commotion around her continued. What changed was the assurance she was safe in her father’s arms. 

I believe that’s the assurance God is inviting us to, learning to be in our Father's arms. Not that things will become easier or better, but that being in the Father’s arms guarantees that all is well and nothing will happen without my Father knowing. He knows what is best for me.

In the book of Acts chapter 2, we see those who followed Jesus were scared, anxious, and worried about what was happening around them and the uncertainties of the future, but when strengthened by the Holy Spirit, they ventured to the ends of the world full of resolute faith and confidence in our Lord. The Holy Spirit will give us all the strength to wade through troubled waters and promises to lead us on irrespective of circumstance. We must remember one very important thing: our Lord promised to take us across the sea but never said the sea would be always calm. He promised us the Helper, who will see us through every storm.

How to stay on track:

1) Know the truth that your Father is more interested in you than anyone else could be. 

2) Acknowledge all the blessings that have come your way and thank the Lord for them.

3) Believe 1Corinthians 10:13 which reads – No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing He will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.

We will indeed go through times in our lives, when our Lord seems distant. There may be moments when all seems lost, nothing going our way. Always remember we are in the arms of our Father, yoked with Jesus and comforted by the Holy Spirit. One of the toughest moments in my life was when my youngest daughter was around 15 months old and fighting for her life. Doctors had given up hope. As a last resort they considered cutting her jugular vein to administer medications. It was tough for me to come to terms with what was ahead of us. I was waiting outside the ICU, unable to comprehend the situation and with my face cupped in my hands I made a tough prayer. ‘Let your will be done’. My abandonment to His will, reassured me that Jesus was yoked with me even in this most helpless situation of my life. I felt the Holy Spirit comforting me and the assurance of being in my Father’s arms was all I needed. She was not healed in a moment but recovered well and is now a joy to the family. 

During testing times we go through various emotions.

We might be afraid, it is natural, but the more important question we need to ask is: Are we READY? 

If we are afraid of death – should we not be ready for it at all times.

If we are afraid of hardships, inconveniences or pain – should we not be ready to pick up the cross at all times.

If we are afraid of the future – should we not be ready to let Him take control at all times.

If we are afraid of loneliness – should we not be ready to have Him as our friend at all times.

If we are afraid for our loved ones – should we not be ready to surrender them into His hands at all times.

If we are afraid of uncertainties – should we not be ready to praise Him even when a storm rages round our boat.

If we are afraid of losing everything – should we not be ready to accept that we have nothing and we are nothing and that everything is a gift.

Remember, never lose Hope. The message of Jesus is that of hope and peace that passes all understanding. Col.1:27 says Christ in you, the hope of glory and Phil 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

C. C. Joseph is Director, Fourth Wave Foundation and former International Coordinator of Jesus Youth