This past fall my wife Nancy and I visited a local state fair in Frye, Maine. Candied apples and bloomin’ onions were among the many attractions that peaked our interest, but most intriguing was the draft horse pulling competition. We were astonished as these large majestic horses pulled sleds stacked with incredible amounts of weight across the arena floor. It was mesmerizing to watch every muscle in the horses’ legs bulge and strain against the harness as their huge hooves dug into the dirt floor one step forward at a time.
Belgian draft horses are amazing animals and they can stand over 6.5 ft tall or 17 hands. They typically weigh 1800 to 2000 pounds. They are able to pull two times their weight at close to 4000 pounds. Horses like to be in pairs or part of a pack. It is the draft horse handler that works to pair the horses and develop a special relationship between them.
Amazingly, two horses bound together as a team can pull up to 15,000 pounds which is three times the weight that a single horse can pull. It’s the instinctual relationship of partnership, along with their handler, that motivates them to lean into the task with more power than one horse can muster alone. These horses seemingly communicate to each other as partners taking on the task at hand. Together they thrust forward with brute force and focus just as the handler pulled on the harness and let out a call.
It is the harness (known as a yoke), that attaches them together so that they can leverage their pulling power in unison. This harness is a constant tangible reminder that they can and should work together. It motivates them to pull in unison with all their strength. As they feel the pressure of the harness they are fully aware that their handler is guiding them together as one team.
In Matthew 11:28-30 we hear Jesus share with the people, “Come to me all who are weary and burdened, 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 light.”
Jesus calls us to allow him to be our “handler” and follow his ways by taking on his yoke (harness). He calls us to accept the guidance of His word and spirit in our lives and steers us to work with others in shared faith to accomplish His will for his people. The slight pressure on the harness reassures us that we are His and it lessens the burden of having to do every task or project by ourselves.
This past week, AUMC, along with brothers and sisters from Atascocita Lutheran and Christ the King Episcopal, put on the yoke of Christ to be the hands and feet of Jesus by sorting and handing out 161 large boxes of fresh produce/eggs and food stuffs to over 756 recipients. This effort was in partnership with HAAM (Humble Area Assistance Ministries), an organization that AUMC was instrumental in forming over 35 years ago and continues to be in covenant with today. We have many dedicated AUMC’ers led by a special couple, who give of their heart, soul, and mind each week to support this vital outreach in our very own zip-code.
Have you ever been in the drive through line at a local Chick-fil-a on a busy lunch hour? That was the type of line at the Lutheran church as cars pulled up to be loaded with boxes of delicious and nutritious produce. The looks on the faces of the recipients tells it all with astonished smiles mixed with tears of gratitude. While canned goods are a godsend, fresh goods are a taste of heaven for many families. For some this box may have been an answered prayer for sustenance. I imagined a young boy or girl taking a big bite of a juicy sweet red apple or a mom stirring up a pot of savory soup full of humongous carrots and fragrant onions. The produce was bountiful – oranges, coconuts and pears oh my!
The divine Jesus became human to model for us, as he shared with his people in Matthew 25: 35-36.
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
Imagine how much more we can accomplish harnessed together in Christ’s yoke, hearing the call and following the guidance of our loving handler.
Outreach and mission are the heritage of AUMC. It is why we are here in our community. It is who we are. Thanks be to God!
Peace,
Kenny Shortsleeve, Lay Leader
AUMC Family since 1988
