Learning How To Give Up Hard Labour

Today is Labour Day and tomorrow many students, including some of us, return to their places of education for a new season of learning and maturing.  Coming out of addiction is like coming out of hard labour in the school of “hard knocks.”  Trouble found us, and then we added to it by our own doings.

Thank God for these new days of work and learning which may be challenging but will not be overwhelming.  Jesus used a farming picture to help people understand what this means. 

In the same way that an ox doesn’t just graze in the fields, we do not enter recovery to do nothing.  Oxen perform many tasks such as: plowing, hauling, tramping seed to thresh it, turning a wheel to grind grain or to send water along irrigation lines.  The food supply of many is reliant on the good work of oxen. 

Jesus takes the heavy burden of sin from us and guides us into a wonderful life of purpose and meaning.  We need to be united with Jesus so that when He moves, we move.  When He stops, we stop.  Jesus promises that if we stay close to Him we will know a gentle and humble way and even though it may be hard work it will be restful rather than overwhelming.  This is life as God intended. 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, Forgive me for the times I have made life more difficult by trying to do things my own way.  Thank You for this new season of working and learning.  Help me to move at Your pace and follow Your directions in every task I undertake to do.  Amen

Video Encouragement and Prayer