Is the Daily Grind Getting to You?

There’s no way around it. We are busier beyond what we can handle.

The flurry of activity of the daily grind becomes a badge of identification stating “I have so much to do.” We become addicted to busy-ness.
Our time is filled with caring for our families and making a living. These are very good things, but too often we leave out the most important relationship: our connection with the Lord. Our ‘drive-through lives’ leave Jesus by the side of the road as we go on to the next activity.

The Lord doesn’t demand us to do more, more, more. On the contrary, He teaches us to rest in Him.

Even when crowds pressed in on Him, Jesus slipped away to make time with His Father. He drew strength from it.

In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus says, “Come to me all 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.”

We are often yoked to heavy responsibilities with our families and full calendars of activities.  Life feels heavy. People are demanding. We cry out in desperation: ‘How can taking on another yoke help out when I’m so busy? I don’t need another thing!’

Jesus uses the metaphor of a yoke to teach us.

A yoke is the wooden collar, which joins two animals, usually oxen, to enable them to pull together. ^[1] When animals are trained with a yoke, a younger, weaker ox is paired with an older, stronger one.  Over time, they learn to work together, walking in step with one another.

A yoke also refers to team or pair.

Jesus says his yoke is a positive thing.

When we are yoked with Him, we learn to walk in step with Him.  He helps carry the burden that is on our backs. His yoke brings relief to our overly active souls.

Are you yoked to your own burdens that are wearing you out? Are you yoked to your calendar that you live a ‘drive-through’ life?

Another version of Mathew 11:28-30 reads:

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.” (The Message)

The antidote for the stress of busy-ness in the daily grind? Rest in the grace of the Lord.

“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.” Psalm 61:1

Give up the pressure of the daily and find rest for your spirit in the Lord.

More scriptures on rest:

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.” Psalm 23:1-2

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.” Psalm 68:19

“Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” Jeremiah 6:16