Hey guys I really felt I should share this with you, as this is the place that I am in at the moment. My hope is that at least one person reads this, gains something and draws closer to the Christ through my honesty. It must come to a point where we realise that our lives are really not about us, instead we live solely for the glorification of him.
‘’Do not plough with an ox and a donkey yoked together.’’ (Deuteronomy 22:10)
By nature Oxen and a Donkey’s are two animals which are very similar, but yet very different. Oxen are large and heavyset cattle trained as draft animals and are usually used for ploughing, transport, hauling HEAVY cargo, grain-grinding by trampling or by powering machines or anything which really requires a lot of strength, perseverance and sometimes even speed. Donkeys on the other hand are relatively more agile in stature and petit in frame, and are notorious in reputation for their stubbornness. Their most common role is for transport; whether riding, pack transport, or pulling carts. What is clearly evident from this brief comparison is that donkeys are considerably smaller, weaker and in some cases slower than Oxen.
Therefore, from a biblical perspective and on a common sense level, getting these two different types of livestock to perform a heavy duty task TOGETHER and in UNION would not be considered very practical. In fact, some may even consider it foolishness. What would end up happening is that one (most likely the donkey), would end up being a hindrance to the other (in this case the Ox). The whole purpose of their union would be defeated by the fact that they were NEVER really suited to jointly complete the task at hand.
I bet you can guess where this is going…lol
‘’Do not be unequally yoked…’’ (2 Corinthians 6:14 - Amplified Bible)
‘’Do not be bound together…’’ (2 Corinthians 6:14 - New American Standard Bible)
I know that there is more to this scripture, but for the purpose of this note I only want to focus on the first part. Speaking from experience, a lot of people these days are in such a rush to jump into relationships, especially ones they are not ready for. When two individuals enter a relationship which is outside the good and perfect will of God, this will always end up bringing nothing but pain and anguish for the two parties involved. Emotions are placed above the voice of God and impatience is manifested. This should not be the case, especially when as believer’s we know that patience should be characteristic deeply embedded into our Christ-like nature and demeanour (Gal 5:22). Although in saying this I can and will hold my hands up to say that I am guilty of this very same thing.
The issue is when you start something you are not meant to start; God will always finish it in a way which brings nothing but the glory unto his name. As Jonah figured out in the bible; you can do it the easy way or the hard way, but either way you will end up doing it His (God’s) way.
So, what does this mean for us (myself included)? This means that we must continue running this race of life, fixing our eyes solely on Christ. So you’ve been talking to this person for a couple of months, you both go church, pray over the phone, have some level of accountability and everything else which is considered the right way to handle relationships. These things will not necessarily justify your relationship. The thing is, in life everyone is running a race and as you’re running you really need to ‘’Usain Bolt’’ it! Stay in your lane, don’t watch anyone else purely focusing on your end goal, and doing all of this whilst running your hardest and your fastest.
Here’s the beautiful thing. In doing this, all you’ll end up doing is running with someone the same speed as you and with the same goal as you. Everything wil just flow, nothing but poetry in motion; and all of this on God’s time, not ours. It will all happen so effortlessly, as your ‘’LIFE-LONG FRIENDSHIP’’ coincides with the good and perfect will of God. In union you continue moving, working and running in harmony, and in the fullness of God’s purpose. Up until that time when you cross that finish line and the father says ‘’Well done my child, you have done me proud.’’
Just like the Ox and the Donkey, unequally yoking or binding yourself with someone who is not where you are or where you desire to be on all levels (spiritually, physically, financially, mentally, emotionally…etc), will only slow you down. So on a personal note, I can only apologise for slowing you down. I'm sorry.
And for everyone else, I will leave you with this. If you consider yourself to be an Ox, who is the Ass in your life?
(Written on the 22nd May 2009)
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