Yolky Yoke

I had a hard start to my day - not wanting to wake up, greasy dinner pans to wash, . . . When the first broken egg slid out of my hand, I almost laughed. I cleaned the sticky swath on my hands and knees, taking the high road in my thinking. Well, at least this one spot will be extra clean.

When the second egg hit the floor I started sobbing! 
I confess it. I was inconsolable. 
[read Believe it or Not!, 31 December 2012] 

I lowered myself to the task and once again scooped up the shell and most of its contents. Then I sprayed and scrubbed the runny stuff off the tiles. Tears and unhappy thoughts flowed.

Thankfully God interrupted my pity party!

The Spirit dragged my mind upward and the Father spoke to my heart with an impression I pray I will not soon forget.

At first it seemed I was hearing the tender words of my Savior, There's no need to be so upset, Sandra. I'm right here. My hands stopped moving as I paused to contemplate.

I knew I was falling on the spiritual battlefield. I was bathed in humility. My confession and request for forgiveness flowed from the lips of my heart. The words of Romans 8:1 burst over me, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

I thanked God for the verse. I let Him know how much I needed Him and His Word to hold me. I acknowledged my weakness. I denounced this human flesh that betrays me so often and so defiantly.

Somehow Jesus still seemed to be beside me. I sensed Him putting His arm around my shoulder in a reassuring embrace. I understand the flood of feelings, Sandra. Remember, I lived in the same type of body you've got and in the same fallen world. I worked along side Joseph, the carpenter.

I hit my thumb with a hammer. I had to pull splinters out of my flesh.

There were days I would measure once and have to cut twice. 

There were times when my younger siblings caused trouble - like the day they took a charred stick and wrote all over a piece of wood I'd fully polished for the front of a cabinet. 

[Look, I'm not a crazy lady. I know Jesus was not physically sitting on the floor next to me. I didn't hear an audible voice. I realize that these scenarios are not holy Scripture. Yet I was aware of my Older Brother's comforting presence in a powerful, almost tangible way.]

I'm glad you remembered Romans 8:1 because it's true. I'm not here to condemn you. I came to let you know that when the 'little things' overwhelmed my life my reactions never once fell short of the Father's standards. 

I received every single piece of frustration and annoyance, disruption and distraction, human interference and opposition as an expression of His perfect will for my life. I never reacted or retaliated improperly. I embraced every detail of my Father's plan to secure reconciliation and glorify Himself, no matter the cost.

I did all of that for you. 

You see, Sandra, I do understand that the human frame is incapable of meeting the Father's requirements. I came to earth to live that perfectly calm, loving, faithful, trusting, joyous life in order to offer it beside your name in the Book of Life. 

Right now, right here, the Father sees me graciously accepting the mess of these broken eggs from His hand and peacefully cleaning them up with gratitude for His watch care over me. That substitution of my behavior for yours is the Redemption He declared in Genesis 3:15 and fulfilled through Me. Please receive the consolation I bear and walk in it. 

“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.” Matthew 11:28-30