A yoke is a wooden beam or frame used to join two draft animals, such as oxen, together at the neck or head so they can pull a load as a team. Great care was taken when making the portion of the yoke worn by the animal so that it would be a perfect fit, not too tight or loose.
Every Thursday morning, I meet on a call with five other men from work to discuss scripture and pray before the day gets going. I am grateful for these brothers and their faithfulness to stay connected. Believe it or not the group is called Living Stones Unearthed… just seemed to make sense.
A couple of years ago, our work management team rolled out thirty-one guiding principles for conduct called the “The Fundamentals.” Currently in our group, we take a particular principle and apply scripture. One of these is “Own Your Work/Life Balance.” What does this mean exactly?
The term work/life balance originated in the 1970s and simply put means dividing hours appropriately between work responsibilities, family, hobbies and rest. For some, this is response to working long hours to advance a career or expectations from an employer. But is it really just a matter of hours? One thing is for certain, the struggle to balance everything and everyone competing for our attention and focus is real and can leave us feeling weary and burdened.
In honor of Labor Day, this is how to achieve the ultimate work/life balance:
-Come to Jesus every day; all are welcome.
-Jesus will give.
-If we are truly living, there will be burdens!
-We don’t have to “pull the load” alone, be yoked to Jesus and learn how to pull.
-Don’t be afraid to share the load and burden with others who are close to you.
-Recognize that work, family, responsibilities and relationships are Godly and good for us.
-You will find rest.
In Matthew 11: 28-30, Jesus says: “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.”
The perfect fit.