The Velcro Friend

One night, I was bored and couldn't sleep. I think it was around 1AM when I turned on the TV and caught this crazy japanese show. The best description is, these are adults dressed up in safety apparel(sometimes just a helmet) and are told to be guinea pigs and do some of the wildest, craziest obstacle coarses.

Well, the one I want to share with you was the "velcro rescue". There was a damsel in distress standing behind a window. The object was for the velcro-ed, jump-suited competitor to swing on a rope across a moat and try to ring a bell that was near the window where the damsel was standing. If the 'hero' could swing across, smashing themselves into the wall, and ring the bell- they win that challenge.

Let me tell you, it was like watching something out of "Looney Tunes". They swing aross the moat and "Splat!" The rope swings back to position, but their body is stuck to the wall. They are velcro-ed to the wall and it takes several people to safely pull them off. There was one competitor who was able to ring the bell before his face became a waffle on the side of the wall.

Well, Jesus is that "velcro friend" who sticks with you through it all.

Do you have that special friend who will stick by your side? You don't really know someone at the core until you have been through hardship with them. Intimacy comes when you really need help from someone you love and respect. I have that friend. He has seen me at my worst and I know some of his darkest secrets as well. We don't see each other any different because of our past pains and issues. That's a true friend- someone who you can bare it all. Your worst days, your darkest moments, all out in the open. . . and your friend loves you and doesn't judge you. He just wants to know how he can help.

God is saying we are like oxen with a big, heavy yoke around our neck. Man, it's painful! It's back breaking! The feelings that run through you are intense and overwhelming. The yoke? Is your sin-filled life. The yoke is all the regrets, all the suffering, all the painful memories of your past. As you try to push through the dirt-filled path of your life, you don't have the strength to keep your head up. You know what's right and good, but you don't have the will to stay the coarse.

I have good news for you! In Matthew 11:28-30 it says, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (NASB)

Here is a short history about farmers and oxens. When they need to break-in a new oxen, they will use a tandem yoke. One yoke for the new oxen and the other for the older, more seasoned ox. It's a long and patient process. At first, the young oxen will fight and resist the yoke. In utter discomfort, it will fight the weight of the yoke. It will buck, it will sway to the right and the left. The young oxen will use up most of its strength fighting. . . until it can't fight no more. Then, an amazing thing happens, the seasoned ox will help lift the oxen up- carrying its load. The astounding ox will keep straight and on coarse for the farmer to effectively plow the land.

Jesus is saying to you, "Give up your yoke. Stop fighting it. Let me help you stay the coarse."

"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. FOR MY YOKE IS EASY AND MY BURDEN IS LIGHT."

Jesus is that "velcro-kind of friend". If you have that love relationship with Him, there is nothing the two of you can't handle.

Latch on to Him and allow Him to latch on to you!

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