The Yoke of Burden or Blessing

Scripture Reading:  Psalm 119:59-60
I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws.  I will hurry, without delay, to obey your commands. 

To Do List:

• cook breakfast
  
• do laundry
• wash dishes
• grocery shopping
• meeting @ 10 am
• lunch with friend
• pick up dry cleaning
• dentist appointment
• help kids with homework
• visit friend in hospital

• ballgame @ 5 pm
• cook dinner
• pay bills
• respond to e-mails
• batting practice
• work on presentation 
• clean bathroom
• yardwork
• sleep
• what did I forget?!?!?!?!?

And the list goes on and on!  It seems I am always in a hurry to complete the tasks on my to-do list and I never seem to complete it all.  The phrase "so much to do, so little time" seems to be my life's theme.  We are all busy, forced to live harried lives with full schedules!  Many years ago,I heard an acrostic for BUSY . . .  Burdened Under Satan’s Yoke!  The reality of that statement rings true when I contemplate the stress and anxiety I sometimes feel when I fail to get it all done!  With so many things vying for my time and attention am I neglecting the important because I am held captive by the urgent? 

When Martha complained about having to do all the work while her sister, Mary, left her to serve alone, Jesus told her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details!  There is only one thing worth being concerned about.  Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”  (Luke 10:41-42)  Mary’s priority was to be with Jesus!  Nothing else mattered and nothing got in her way.  Surely, she knew the meal needed to be prepared for their guests, but Mary was hungry for something more.  Not wanting to miss anything, she positioned herself at Jesus' feet and hung on His every word.  She was determined to enjoy the presence of her Master and feast upon His teaching!

While taking care of my family is the most important job I have; and having relationships with other people is a means of sharing God's love with them; and work, church and ministry are necessary, I cannot neglect the one thing worth being concerned about - my relationship with Jesus.  Although the bent of my personality is to be like Martha, the desire of my heart is to be like Mary. 

When I begin to feel the stress of my BUSY schedule, I need to take time to ponder the direction of my life.  Have I allowed my adversary to burden me under his yoke?  Have I become so busy doing and serving that I have forgotten the one thing I should be concerned about?  That is spending time with Jesus - just sitting at His feet, enjoying His presence and learning from Him.  Let me hurry, without delay, to obey the Lord's commands.  When I allow Jesus to re-prioritize my to-do list I will find rest for my soul!

 “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