Yokes of Bondage

"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."  Matthew 11:29-39

These are the words of Jesus, he says to take His yoke upon you. A yoke is something that binds two things together and where one goes the other one goes. Wearing a yoke could be burdensome, especially if the one your yoked to steers you in the wrong direction or makes life more difficult by constantly pulling you in another way.  Jesus said that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. If Jesus said that, then why do we make things more difficult by yoking each other with burdens that we we were never meant to carry?  I have seen in life how many of us have a great idea that works that really works for our family, but then we start expecting other families to do the same thing. There are numerous examples I will give, but for sanitys  times sake, I will only post a few.

Homeschooling~~ I am an avid fan of homeschooling, and have done so for 14+ years. None of my children went to public school, with the exception of our first attending a half year of pre-school. It works for my family, however I know it does not work for ALL families. I don't always agree with peoples reasons for not homeschooling, but it is not my place to force someone to homeschool their children. It is their family and their decision. I also do not believe that homeschooling is a mandate in scripture. Yes, I can see great points in scripture that would lead one to homeschool but it is not a violation of scripture to  not send your children to public school.

Dresses Only~~ This is one that I honestly do not understand. I understand dressing modestly, and not causing a brother to stumble. In my opinion a woman can be very modest in jeans and t-shirt and can very immodest in a skirt or dress. What did God say when David was to be annointed King? He said He does not look at the outside like man does, but rather He looks at the heart. A person can have an appearance of godliness and yet have a very ugly heart that breaks the very heart of God.

How We Keep Our Home~~ This one have range of things from homesteading to couponing and much more. Too many times we put the bondage of "our way is the right way" on the women in our lives. We may cut coupons, save money, and reap the benefits and then we start to expect others to do the same thing. Maybe we  make our own laundry soap and know how fulfilling it is, but then we get a little pride in us and don't understand why others cannot take the time to make their own soap. Homemade meals are wonderful things and many of us spend a great deal of time preparing menus and making healthy meals. If another mom doesn't do that, we may look down on her for not "providing" for her family.

Goodness, there are so many other examples out there that can pit one against another. It is not how it is supossed to be. We are to love our neighbors as ourselves and take care of what God has given us. To me that means not worrying if Susie doesn't homeschool, bake bread, or wear a skirt. It means taking care of my family and then genuinly loving those that God places in my life. If a haggard mom is having a hard time with a child at the supermarket, I should not judge her and scoff. Instead I should offer kind words of encouragement to her. Do not put a heavy yoke on that was never intended to be there! Do not expect those around you to act just like you and if they don't then figure they are not suitable. No! Jesus died so that ALL might have life and have life ABUNDANTLY! When we put heavy yokes on each other we are not doing any great service, in fact we could be damaging what God is doing their lives. Remember His yoke is easy and His buden is light, lets give each other the grace and mercy that each of us would want.