“then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry, and He will say, here I am.”  isaiah 58:9

“for My yoke is easy; My burden is light.”  matthew 11:30

as my second graders eagerly gathered on the carpet thursday for the science lesson, i walked over to pick up our materials kit, hauling it to the meeting area.  it was rather heavy, and i strained under the load.

with a groan i set the crate down in front of the children.  darren spoke up loudly, “miz goude, you know you really need a MAN to do that for you.”

oh, my.  the look on my face must have said it all, because the rest of the students gasped.  i gave darren a hard time for a few minutes, ragging him about calling me weak until he apologized profusely (on his knees, at that.)  we all had a good laugh (including him) at his expense. i then thanked him for his concern and worry that i might actually overdo it and injure myself.

it wasn’t until this morning that i began to reflect over the scene.  here’s the thing… in my little second grade this year, i have TEN very capable boys who would have gladly moved that crate to any area of our classroom, had i asked.  yes, TEN.

and they were right there.  all ten of them.  right.  there.

think for a moment.  isn’t that just like us in our walk with God?  we stress and strain to accomplish some task, externally or internally, all by ourselves.

and all the while, God says, “here I am.”  and Jesus says, “take My yoke upon you.  My yoke is easy; my burden light.”

He’s right there.

what are you hauling around in your spirit at this moment?  are you battling some fear, planning some task, wrestling within your soul trying to forgive someone and it’s just not happening?

listen to God’s voice say to YOU, “here I am.  take My yoke upon you.  my yoke is easy, My burden light.”

He’s right.  there.

so what are you waiting for?