Yoked to Jesus

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“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” †  Mathew 11: 28-30  What is the labour and burden that Jesus is asking me to deal with? Perhaps I have to let go of the compulsive burden (or is it a sort of entitlement?) that my spouse and children should choose a spiritual path that I know to be right. Jesus accompanied Judas Iscariot to the very end but never deprived him of his freedom to choose his own destiny. Jesus on the other hand, uninterrupted by Judas's choice to reject him, continues to accomplish his mission. He does become a victim of Judas's betrayal but he seldom takes on the victim's identity. In divine wisdom, Jesus chooses to die in our place (and that of Judas) in a redeeming act of love. Rather than being compelled to fix those whom God has entrusted to my headship by m

Do you hear His call?

Halt
Hear His call

It may be a strayed thought or a convincing compulsion.  It could be an indistinguishable yet clear voice from within or a sentence fallen out of the mouth of a stranger or a word from a TV show or a tweet, a post in Face book that bring us to an unusual “halt” in the midst of the daily madness.

God is gently but constantly seeking our attention, just like a loving father, full of compassion and love in order to show us the way to joy and un- surpassing peace. He is called the hound of heaven by Francis Thomson in His poem titled the same. As the hound follows the hare, never ceasing in its running, ever drawing nearer in the chase, unhurried and unperturbed, so does God follow the fleeing soul by His Divine grace

These gentle invitations of God are often stifled by our overarching worldly priorities. This time when you come to a holy halt, hold on to it. It is your father voice to return.

Turn around
Hear His call, turn around!

Pursuing our own will, we tread paths that lead us nowhere. Turning around is often a response to what takes us by surprise! We disconnect temporarily from what we engage in and present ourselves to be surprised by the moment. Ignore the temptation to wiggle back and pursue the old way. Turning around is an unconscious act leading to what could be a significant event in our life. This could well be the return to the bosom of the father.

Look at Him
Hear His call, turn around!, Look at Him

Our eyes meet with God. His arms are open wide. He is the fountain of love that seldom runs dry. Right before our eyes stands the truth, the life, the way, the resurrection, the gate, the bread, the living water, our hope and salvation all rolled into one. He is Jesus, the one who forsook his divine nature and embraced willingly our human nature to pay the price in his body for the sins we have committed against Him, from ages tracing back to Adam . See for yourself the scars on his hands, feet and the side, the inerasable signs of His love for us.

Feel His Love
Hear His call, turn around!, Look at Him, Feel His love

From Him flows the river of love. It envelops us from all sides. The coolness refreshes the depths of our being. Realizing our own shortcomings, tears roll down the cheek. God runs His fingers over and wipes it dry. He motions us not to look back and despair but look to what is ahead and be glad. We revel in true freedom having been forgiven unconditionally. We see the price on the cross. He has taken my place and paid the debt. My soul unburdens and lifts higher, floating like feather, gliding freely on the wind. This is indeed the kingdom of God, He whispers in the ears.

Make a choice
Hear His call, turn around!, Look at Him, Feel His love, Make a choice

This is a crucial moment. God does not take decisions on our behalf. He loved us so much that He desired not to curb our freedom of choice and thus granted us the great gift of free will. I have been shown the Truth, shown what is ahead, experienced inner freedom in the blissful embrace of God. I ought to make choice and that choice decides my future. Where can I go from your spirit, where can I go from your presence. [Psalm 139:7] I resort to reside by the perennial fountain, drinking from it and be thirsty never again.

Take a step
Hear His call, turn around!, Look at Him, Feel His love, Make a choice, take a step

A choice made remains just a choice until it translates into actions that prove the decision taken. Shaking off lethargy, filled with hope, I step out. No turning back, I see none with me yet no turning back. The most fulfilling ordeal of a Christian begins here. I learn in His school. I learn to walk looking to the light [Jesus], both in His tangible presence and in the absence of it, for I know by now He forsakes none.

This process continues in our lives, as we consciously pursue the beaten track tread by the saints, transforming us little by little into a nature unto that of Jesus.

Hear His call, Turn around!, Look at Him, Feel His love, Make a choice, Take a step – repeat  – repeat  Eternity with the Father

Inspired by the Rexband song, You Turn from the album You turn.

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