Share The Load

Share the Load

[Jesus said,] “Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:29-30

When I read the Lord’s invitation to accept his yoke, I’m reminded of my long-ago farm days. A yoke-like piece of harness called a collar sat like a large leather necklace across the shoulders of each mule. Connected to the rest of the harness and attached to the wagon via a metal tug, the collars distributed the load’s weight more evenly, making the animal’s work easier. Even now I remember our mules, Jack and John, not even breathing hard as they pulled wagons holding several times their weight. Without the collar, the mules would have strained muscles as they struggled forward.

So if a leather collar protected our mules and made their work easier, how much more protection would the Lord’s yoke provide for us? As I lean into my work, guided by his direction, I accomplish much more than I would have in my own power.

And just as our mules could pull more weight together than they could alone, we can accomplish more if we team up with one another. So I share my workload with others, too. For example, I’m a great believer in “child labor” in the home. Even a toddler can pick up toys. As children get older, they can handle bigger chores and even learn to do their own laundry. After all, any child who can program a VCR and operate a computer certainly can run a modern washing machine.

I’m also convinced having a cleaning lady not only makes good sense but is biblical. If you don’t believe me, take a look at Proverbs 31:15: “She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.” This woman could accomplish all she did because she had servants! So if getting a cleaning lady will lighten your load and allow you to accomplish other things, consider doing it. Every two weeks I greet mine with a hug. After we’ve caught up on family news, she keeps me organized as I work ahead, filing correspondence and sorting files.

If you feel you can’t afford to pay someone to clean your house, there’s another option: Some of my young friends take turns helping each other clean their houses. Others have friends in for dinner when the house is getting too messy. Funny how preparing for company provides a burst of energy.

Yes, work shared goes faster. And accepting the Lord’s yoke makes life easier.

—SANDRA

Lord, human nature is such that we will always be yoked to something. Thank you for offering your yoke to make my challenges lighter.

It seems amazingly difficult to put on the yoke of Christ, but immediately we do put it on and everything becomes easy.

—OSWALD CHAMBERS (1874–1917), SCOTTISH BIBLE TEACHER, YMCA CHAPLAIN IN EGYPT