Held Fast

"My necklace has been found!" Our song leader announced to the congregation before the song service began yesterday. A week or so ago she had asked if anyone had seen her gold, heart necklace that she had suddenly discovered was no longer on her neck when she got home from church that Sunday evening. A wedding gift from her husband many years ago, the necklace was particularly meaningful to her, and she asked for prayer that it would turn up.

No one had seen it anywhere, but we all promised to pray and offered helpful clues as to where it might be--her car, her pocket, her purse, etc. A beautiful button that she had lost from a sweater was turned in, but no necklace. Sally, as I'll call her, reassured us that she had peace about the necklace and told herself that God knew where it was and it would be found. And it was, at home, on the grass just outside the car!

"I took it to the jeweler," Sally said, "to see if it was broken." To her surprise, the jeweler told her that the clasp was designed so that if pressure were put on it, it would give way, rather than break the chain. The chain was not broken, so her treasured keepsake was fine.

This reminded me of how God wants us to release our burdens to Him, rather than break ourselves down (mentally, emotionally, spiritually or physically) by fretting and worrying ourselves sick about some problem or situation. Psalm 145:14 assures us, "The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down."

Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Not only can a yoke be defined as a heavy wooden harness, but also it could have referred to the excessive demands of religious leaders of that day. Jesus, speaking of the scribes and Pharisees, said, "For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be born, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers," Matthew 23:4.

From my reading, I found out the word, yoga, a strict discipline, is related to the word, yoke, which could mean a religious discipline. Jesus was telling people that his "yoke"--teachings, requirements--was simple, and he did not put heavy burdens upon us. Like the maker of the necklace clasp, He will not put on us more than we can bear, but He makes a way of escape. He is our burden bearer and wants us to cast all our care upon Him, because He cares for us.