So how have you been standing firm in the last week? Determining to do so is one thing and actually doing it is something else. Maybe I am the only one who thinks so?
At church Sunday, we learned that during the earlier church years, some people reconciled their differences with the world by withdrawing. They took themselves out of the mainstream of life to live in solitary. They thought they could be holier that way.
However, that way of dealing with life is more like running away. I don’t see that as taking a courageous firm stand. It’s too easy to run away and hide. Yet, God calls us to stand and serve one another in spite of the troubles.
Our preacher pointed out that Martin Luther said, “God does not need your good works, but your neighbor does”. That hit me with some force. When life goes south, it’s much easier to withdraw, to hide. But – “who are you helping? A good work must benefit a neighbor.” That good work may take any form that lifts up others. It may mean a sacrifice on our part. Ok, I’m parroting our preacher, but I’m living here, too. Are you?
“My yoke is easy and my burden is light,” said Jesus. I have often wondered what He exactly meant by that. In the field, the oxen are yoked together in order to pull the wagon (they were the chosen vessels for the Conestoga wagons of the American pioneers because they were so strong), or if you please, the plow for planting fields (once they got to the desired destination). The strong oxen did what they were created to do.
Jesus bears the burden that rightfully belongs to us. We just kind of go where He goes with it. It is a hard yoke for us if we try to run away. It goes against what He has asked us to do – to reconcile with, and serve our neighbors. But when we depend on Him to take us the direction we need to go and we stand tall beside Him in the yoke with our obediance, then He will help us to be firm and courageous as we face whatever we must.
Yes, it’s still a risk. But God will cover us and see us through to reflecting His character if we stay yoked with Him to the end.
“To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery … which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” Col 1:27.
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