Out of the Shallows #2 – Lighten Your Load

Using the SOAP method I’m doing a devotional called “Out of the Shallows” with Northpoint Church. This method of Bible study uses the acronym SOAP to dig deeper into scripture, rather than just casually reading through the Bible.

‘S’ is writing down the part of scripture that kind of jumps out at you, or seems to have meaning to you.
‘O’ is to observe what it is really saying, the deeper meaning or truth.
‘A’ is for application. How does it apply to your life? What can you do differently in light of this truth?
‘P’ is for prayer. What do you want to tell God or ask him to help you do about this?
Read the first scripture study here http://www.christiannotchristian.com/out-of-the-shallows-go-the-extra-mile-overcome-evil-with-good/

Jesus’ Irresistible Offer

Today’s Scripture
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. Jesus, Matthew 11: 28 – 29

S – Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest… For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

O- He gives us rest. He gives us peace. Not necessarily by removing our burdens, but by replacing our yoke with his own. A yoke is defined as a harness for two animals, usually oxen, to share a burden when pulling farm equipment. But a yoke also refers to a wooden bar one places over the shoulders to carry two equally weighted loads. Think of someone carrying two buckets of water balanced on their shoulders this way. It occurred to me; we carry this type of yoke single-handedly to double the weight or burden we can carry. But when we use the other kind, to yoke animals together, it halves their burden. 

Lightening Your Load – It’s All Up to You

This scripture is beckoning us to let Jesus carry half our load. And, who are we kidding, if we let him, if we trust him, he does much more than that. Much more than his ‘fair share’. He attaches himself to us and shoulders the yoke with us. We learn a new way to live and it lifts and restores our  soul. It is as though the weight of the entire burden is taken from us, and we get the rest, the relief and the peace that only God can give.

A – Surrender to him. And now I am really directing this to myself because here is where I struggle…Oh my gosh, just do it, Sherry….. Let. It. Go. Stop trying to solve everything on your own. Stop thinking you even can. I (we all ) need to just try bringing all the concerns and difficulties of this life to Jesus, and letting him lead and guide us through it all.

P – The last words above came to me in prayer as lyrics from a beautiful song by Bethel. You can check out the lyrics and music here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VUzQrtRqDQ
“Through it all, through it all….my eyes are on you. Through it all, through it all…it is well.”

Please join me for more of this journey through Scripture by journaling your own thoughts using the SOAP method. And if you would, by subscribing with your email address in the box, top right of this page. I would really appreciate your support in this way. Your email will not be shared in any way. Thanks!