The Power of Honor - Day 4: Pastor Ryan Shook
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“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 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 11:28-30 (NLT)
If you’ve been living by a “To-Do” list you’ve probably experienced what psychologists refer to as “The Zeigarnik Effect.” Lithuanian psychologist, Bluma Zeigarnik discovered that unfinished tasks contribute to intrusive and uncontrolled thoughts that stress us out. We only seem to remember the tasks on our list we didn’t get done! When you combine that study with the findings of Kevin Kruse, a leading time management researcher who discovered that none of the most productive people he interviewed lived by a “To-Do” list, you may be wondering ‘how then can I manage my time more effectively so I can be more productive?’ Kruse suggests a simple answer that has Biblical merit – Tear up your To-Do list and live by priorities.
When Jesus spoke to everyday people who were stressed out with more to do than they could get accomplished, He extended a profound invitation. He said, “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 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 11:28-30 (NLT) While their religion was saying, “Do!” Jesus said, “Come to Me….” Have you done that in your life? Have you come to God with your schedule and asked Him to help you live by your priorities? What are your priorities? Have you ever sat down to list them? Something miraculous and powerful occurs when we line up our priorities. Our schedule becomes less demanding and less stressful. We get more accomplished. We become more effective and productive. Our lives become fulfilling! If you’ve been burdened by the demands placed on you, bring them to Christ. Come to Him. He wants to give you rest! All you have to DO to experience that rest is Come – come to Christ. This is the privilege every one of us has every day!
In addition to the rest we receive, He says, “Take My yoke upon you….” When we come to Christ, we experience a rest that is active, not inactive. We actively rest in Him as He does the work in us and through us that only God can accomplish! Talk about effective and productive! Just as the Father accomplished His work in the Son, so Jesus clothes Himself with our humanity to accomplish His work in us. This is the indwelling life of Christ. When Christ indwells us, we experience the power of the Holy Spirit energizing us to do what is pleasing to God! We are fitted with a tailor-made yoke! A yoke in Jesus’ day was tailor-made to fit the oxen that wore it so they could do their work effectively. Jesus said, “Take My yoke upon you … for My yoke fits perfectly….” Matthew 11:29a (TLB).
Have you taken His yoke or someone else’s? Maybe you’ve taken the yoke of someone else’s expectations. One thing I’ve discovered as I’ve gotten older is that you will either live by your priorities or someone else’s. If you want to have less stress and honor God in your schedule, tear up your “To-Do” lists and live by priorities. Ask God what those priorities should be in your life that honor Him and are custom-made for you. Schedule them into your week. Take a moment now and write them down as you pray.