A Harnessed Heart

This world is a mess. Fits of rage, jealousy, hatred, and just downright evil (to sum it up). What is to be our response? The same? Jesus and the apostle Paul clearly mapped it out for us. Although we live in the yuck of this culture, we are not, as Jesus followers to do and be the same. One specific; “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Paul, Galatians 5:22-23a, NLT, emphasis mine). 

Gentleness.

Other translations render gentleness as meekness. Meekness, many know it as “strength under control” and rightly so. It is an active and deliberate, good and positive response to and in an undesirable circumstance. Positive is the key. Although, yes, indeed a negative response may be merited, positive and gentle are the choices. It is responding from the inwrought grace of the soul, (as one Greek resource defines*). Not just the inward grace of the soul, that it dwells there, but INWROUGHT.

Inwrought is not a word we use much today or use at all. Oh, but it has the most beautiful imagery. It is intricately woven material with a particular pattern. (Of fabric or woodwork, stonework, and metal). It is the adding of another element, (read that again). Working that element into the material. Meekness/gentleness is the evidence of God’s grace worked into our soul, into our mind, will and emotions. The beauty is that ultimately it all becomes one piece of material. To take this additional element out would leave holes—gaping, ripping holes.  Without God’s grace, we too would be gaping!

How do we get this priceless woven into us element—to be made evident?  Come out when our merited moments present themselves. Three words: Holy Spirit and may I offer—yoke.

The yoke is a symbol of servitude. One “learning the ropes” inexperienced animal harnessed to another stronger mature animal. The yoke harness presents opportunity for the immature to stay close, walk beside, learn and experience the strength of the lead animal.

When researching the actual yoke, it is documented that it is BEST that the ox yields and raises its head up into the yoke for the most comfortable and profitable fit. This comes with time and trust that the animal is willing to voluntarily lift their head to the master and into the yoke. If forced down could cause irritation, causing the ox to lean, favoring one side and possibly altering the direction of their steps. Or perhaps, just perhaps, these missteps are due to a wrong yoke? How many of us can say we once were yoked to a wrong person, position, mindset or culture that we used as a training ground or guide.

Yes, this world is a mess.  And we may have merited moments of opportunity from time to time to be negative. What a challenge! A challenge to give the world a good God response, offering a moment of gentleness—grace. We are disciples of Jesus; we allow and invite the Spirit’s power, leading and growth in our lives.  We lift our head up into the yoke—Jesus’ yoke (Matthew 11:28-30).  I so appreciate the paraphrase, “Walk with Me and work with Me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you” (Jesus, The Message).

Lifting—having a harnessed heart, making the world a little less messy, one (yielded) opportunity at a time. God’s grace woven in and throughout the pattern of our life.

Inwrought. A harnessed heart.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds” – Hebrews 10:24).

*Geeky Greek resource, Complete Word Study Dictionary of the NT, (prautes)