[EyesWideOpen33]

"The Twelve Step Life Recovery Devotional" (Arterburn/Stoop)

Step Three, Day 1

We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

When our burdens become heavy and we see that our way of life is leading us toward death, we may finally become willing to let someone else do the driving. We've probably worked hard at trying to get our lives on the right track, but still feel like we always end up on a dead-end street.

Proverbs tells us, 'Before every man there lies a wide and pleasant road that seems right but ends in death" (Proverbs 14:12). When we began our addictive behaviors we were probably seeking a way to find pleasure or to overcome the pain of living. The way seemed right at first, but it became clear that we were on the wrong track. But then we were unable to turn around on our own. Jesus said, "Come to me and I will give you rest--all of you who work so hard beneath a heavy yoke. Wear my yoke--for it fits perfectly--and let me teach you; for I am gentle and humble, and you shall find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28-30).

To take on a yoke implies being united to another in order to work together. Those who are yoked together must go n the same direction, but by doing so, their work is made considerably easier. Jesus is saying that when we finally decide to submit our lives and our will to his direction, our burdens will become manageable. When we let him do the driving, we will be able to "find rest" for our souls. He knows they way and has the strength to turn us around and get us on the road toward life.
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We all wear a yoke on our shoulders; the trick is in finding the right master.
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