Laced with Grace, Liberty, and Rest
by Becky Van Vleet
(Matthew 11:29, NKJV).
My mother collected antiques. I inherited some of her pieces, including a wooden yoke that hangs as a décor piece in my house. My grandchildren have asked about the yoke, and I always seize teachable moments. I’ve explained to them how a yoke harnesses oxen together to ease the burden when they pull heavy loads.
When I think about my writing journey, I feel blessed to know I’m yoked with Christ. I can trust him to work with me every step of the way and bear the weight of my challenges. I know that if I take a wrong turn, I will feel the friction as he encourages me to realign with his will.
Writers face many questions and struggles. Should we change genres or enter certain contests? Low sales numbers, deciding whether to self-publish or go traditional, dealing with rejections, and the pressure of building a social media platform hang over all of us.
Following this call can create a heavy burden especially if we are not yoked with Christ. I’m always thankful Christ pulls me in the direction I need to go, making my writing journey easier.
Laced with decorative ivy, my old wooden yoke adds beauty to my home. But I must take care to avoid its splinters. I’m thankful I don’t have to worry about any splinters with Christ. His yoke is laced with grace, liberty, and rest. It provides us with all we really need, making our writing endeavors so much lighter.
Dear Lord, thank you for the yoke you provide for us when our souls are weary, and we can rest with you. Thank you for easing our writing challenges and lightening our burdens. Help us to write to glorify you. In Jesus’s name, amen.
Becky Van Vleet is a retired teacher and principal and award-winning multi-genre author. She and her husband make their home close to Colorado Springs where she enjoys gardening, oil painting, writing, and reading books to her grandchildren. A member of ACFW, Becky loves family stories. Her website is devoted to preserving them for the next generations through her monthly blogs.
Great analogy and post!