Vacations with Eric Fillinger are not physically restful but they are rejuvenating and full of adventure. I have been asking Eric to go to Boston for a number of years. This past Fall, Eric took time off and we were actually going to do it. When we started making our plans, we discovered flights were reasonable, but lodging, transportation, and anything we wanted to do was outrageous. We had the money, but it would bite into our savings. So we went on a cruise instead.
Unexpected Taxes
Our taxes this year were more than expected. Thankfully, Eric is prudent so we can use some of our savings to pay them. The same savings we didn’t use to go to Boston are now being used to pay the IRS. It kind of made us a little sick. After the initial shock wore off, we were able to be thankful for God’s provision. We realized that we are richer than most of the world and live like a king and queen in comparison.
Backpacking or Glamping for our 35th Wedding Anniversary
Eric has always liked to go backpacking. This is different from hiking. It’s traversing dozens of miles up and down mountains with nothing but what he can carry on his back to some remote area that may or may not have cell service and definitely does not have running water other than a creek bed. After he sets up camp, he takes out this tiny “stove” that boils water and makes a fine delicacy with ramen and beef jerky. Then he gets in his tree tent to sleep so he can get back up the next morning before dawn to do it all over again. I have dropped him off and picked him up but have never gone with him. Given our new tax burden, I may have to start. This June is our 35th wedding anniversary. It won’t be restful, but my momma says, “there’s no rest for the wicked and the righteous don’t need it.” I tell her I beg to differ. I feel certain if I go along, it will be more like glamping. Eric won’t know what he has gotten himself into. I can enjoy a good adventure, but I also want some rest!
A Better Kind of Yoke
As part of learning to Live Free, I have been using Galatians as our main text and supplementing with David Jeremiah’s study, The Path to Freedom. Jeremiah cross referenced last week’s study to take a deeper look at the yoke of bondage we saw in Galatians 5:1. This week we are going to pause to further reflect on this idea and the much better kind of yoke Jesus offers, one that leads to true rest.
A yoke is an apparatus that binds two things together.1 It’s used in farming to couple cattle or oxen. Figuratively, it’s an emblem of servitude. In Galatians, it denotes moral bondage to the Law of Moses, specifically circumcision. As you may recall, Paul isn’t against circumcision specifically. He is against any rule-keeping system as a means to salvation. When Christ died and paid the sacrifice for sin and then defeated death with His resurrection, He set us free from the curse of striving unsuccessfully to achieve acceptance with God through the yoke of the Law. Why would we want to go back to this slavery?
Being Yoked with Jesus Leads to True Rest
Jesus provides a different and much better kind of yoke, one that leads to true rest.
Jesus said, 28 “Come to me, all 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.”
Jesus invites all who labor to fulfill the law and are heavy laden by its rules and restrictions to come Him. Be yoked to Him. Learn from the One who is gentle and humble because His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Then you will find a great gift, rest for your soul. This is not a physical rest, but something better. Sometimes we labor physically to the point of exhaustion and physical rest revives us. When you need soul rest, nothing revives you like Jesus through the power of His Spirit. He is offering inner tranquility in the heart and mind of those who make the better choice to come to Him. We can trust being yoked to Him as our Shepherd restores our soul.
Entering the Rest of the Lord
King David also wrote about entering the rest of the Lord. He uses the imagery of the LORD as his Shepherd:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.[a] 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness[b] for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,[c] I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely[d] goodness and mercy[e] shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell[f] in the house of the Lord forever.[g]Psalm 23 ESV
God provides rest for this Warrior King by meeting his needs and providing peaceful places which revive his soul and return him to vitality. Then God leads him on the right path to direct his life. God does this because He is being true to His character. It’s Who He Is. When David is faced with danger and darkness, he need not fear. God is with him to lead and comfort with His protection. Even in the presence of his enemies, God’s showers David with blessings of goodness and mercy. David has hope of dwelling in God’s presence forever. Christ fulfills this hope and provides the ultimate Rest .
The Holy Spirit Will Take Care of the Rest
I will keep you posted on what Eric and I decide to do for vacation. In the meantime, I am asking myself what I need to do to experience God’s rest for my soul. What should I cut out of my schedule? Should I clean out a closet? How are my exercise and diet going? Am I getting enough sleep? Just as I am facing the realization I could use improvement in all of these areas, the Holy Spirit leans in and whispers, “come to Jesus, and I will take care of the Rest.”
Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament. AMG International: Chattanooga, 1993.
