​Out of Control!

I remember my first time on snow skis.  It wasn´t pretty. I´ve never been an athlete, so snow skiing didn´t come naturally.  The most fearful thing to me was being on a slope, even a green one (the easiest variety), and being out of control, not being able to turn or stop without a crash.

With all that is happening in the world right now, I kind of feel like I´m back on skis.  How can I feel like I´m in control when it looks like nothing is in control around me these days?
That´s where Jesus comes in.

Matthew 11:28–30 (NKJV)  Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” 

The Lord speaks to those who are working hard but still weighed down with a burden.  Who isn´t right now? Yet, He promises rest! How so?
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Jesus says, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me.”  Take His yoke?  I think of oxen.

Why Lord will I find rest if I get in the yoke with you?  He explains, “for I am gentle and lowly in heart.”  I still don´t get it until I dig a little and see what the words Jesus actually said mean.  A more literal translation is “for I am meek and humble in heart.”  

Meek is different than gentle.  Meek means power under control – power like that of a strong ox to pull a heavy cart!  Yet power that is not running wild. Power under control!
Jesus has all power and authority in the universe, and He has it all under control.  I think I will step into the yoke with Him, walk with Him, let Him do the heavy pulling, keeping it all under control.

Wow!  When I do this, it sure feels easy, and the burden seems so light, so in control!
That´s another reason God sometimes allows adversity and trouble – to help us see (or remember) our need to get in the yoke with Jesus and let Him keep things in control.