Dear Parents,
I am summarizing the thoughts of H. Norman Wright in his devotional book, Quiet Times for Couples.
Matthew 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.”
Wright explains in his book how a wild horse is broken and trained. The rider must prove himself superior to the horse and break the will of the horse, after what could days of wrestling for control.
In comparison, Wright then compares a wild horse training to how oxen are trained. A farmer would take a mature a seasoned oxen and pair him/ her with a young inexperienced oxen. The young oxen would learn to pull and work alongside the veteran oxen.
Jesus comes to us with a powerful promise and analogy in Matthew 11. He promises not to break us down into submission like a wild horse. Instead he promises to walk alongside us. To pull with us. To teach us by modeling for us how to live life.
Whether you are a teenager facing explosive change or a tired parent about run off your feet, know that Jesus is walking alongside of you. Daily, he is inviting you and I to watch him work. He is reminding us he is pulling the heavy load for us; his burden is light. He is encouraging us to grow in strength and learn from him.
What a Savior!
W. Dykstra
