A Group Project
“Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29 NLT
Insight
This past fall, I moved into a new house. My parents were gracious enough to drive from Wilmington to Carrboro to help me get settled in. There were a plethora of boxes to be carried inside and furniture to be constructed. My dad, ever the family handyman, was more than happy to help assemble my new desk, bedframe, and loveseat.
My dad could’ve easily put all the furniture together on his own. He has the skills and the know-how. Yet, he wanted my help. He saw the construction project as an opportunity. He knew that inviting me to work with him would give us precious time together. While we worked, we had the chance to converse and grow our relationship. What could’ve been an arduous chore became a time of fellowship and great joy.
As we worked, I got to see my dad’s wisdom on display. The knowledge I lacked, he possessed. The questions I asked, he had the answers to. Who knew there were so many types of bolts, nuts, and screws?
On that day, my earthly father taught me something invaluable about our Heavenly Father. God is more than able to transform our lives and our hearts all on His own. Yet, He invites us to partner with Him. As we co-labor with Him, we grow in our relationship with Him. We learn to depend on His power. The beauty of His character is revealed to us as we take His yoke upon us.
I have been in recovery from a chronic eating disorder for about a decade now. I know that the Lord could heal me in an instant if He chose to. If I’m honest, it often makes me angry that He hasn’t taken this disease away from me. It would be so easy for Him. All He would have to do is speak a word. I would love a miracle. I would love to be free of this illness without having to do the grueling work of recovery.
But as strange as it sounds, I think God wants to give me more than temporal health and happiness. The greatest gift God can give any of us is more of Himself. What our souls need most is to learn how to depend on Him: the Source of all life, joy, peace, and comfort.
Though God could snap His fingers and free me of my illness, He wants to teach me how to seek Him at every turn. Because of this, I can count my trial as a joy, rather than a burden (James 1:2-4). He allows me to grow in my adoration for Him as I partner with Him in this journey. As I navigate recovery, I have the opportunity to lean on His strength in all things. Enduring this hardship has taught me to pray more often, continually seek Truth in scripture, and invite others into my struggle. God has refined me by asking me to walk through my recovery with Him.
My healing is a group project. I cannot do it alone. God could do it alone. But He wants to bless me through this holy assignment.
Reflection
In what area of your life might God be asking you to co-labor with Him? How can you view His invitation as a pathway to intimacy, rather than a burden?
Prayer
Abba, thank You for inviting me to partner with You. Thank You for using my trials and everyday experiences to teach me how to depend on You. Thank You for allowing me to see Your wisdom and power on display as we work together to transform my thoughts, actions, and circumstances. God, change my vision to see the tasks before us as adventures we get to take together, rather than burdens I have to carry alone. I love You, Lord, and I trust You. Amen.
Port City writer Kate Redenbaugh wrote today’s devotional.