For those who grew up on Bible stories, the word yoke is a familiar term. So many of the lessons of Jesus used common language and examples of daily life as a form of transmitting messages that, otherwise, may have been too deep and esoteric for the average person to understand. The "average" person was a member of the multitudes that Jesus looked upon with compassion and acceptance of the absolute plight of their humanity. The plight of being thrust onto earth that was often dark and foreboding was one he understood thoroughly. He knew the battle to keep the body from perishing on a daily basis could be burdensome and disillusioning. He felt the sorrows of the sick and infirmed, and he knew their hearts in a way that few humans will ever fathom. He is my all-time hero. For his empathy and compassion held throughout his earthly journey, and in our creative thoughts and minds, still holds to this day without bounds.
On one day, his message to the listeners that gathered around him was quite simply stated. "Come unto me all you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest, for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." I did not stop to look up the verse at the time of this writing, and you can check me if you like. I may have misquoted slightly, but that is how it has stuck in my mind, so I am going with that. His audience understood the weight of the yoke used on their oxen, and how it bound them tightly alone or to another animal to be guided and used for work that only the master in charge of them could control. Once under the yoke, the oxen lost all autonomy.
Today, I see friends and family who have "yoked" themselves to a leader that has put a tremendous burden of fear, anxiety, and hate upon their shoulders. They are caught in a trap on an endless treadmill with the burden of protecting and explaining the depths of their loyalty to a man who would shove them out of his way if they blocked him from coming into a room. Because of his propaganda and rhetoric, they view this nation as a land ruled by frauds and charlatans, but NOT their ruler; and they no longer see America as a land of promise. They view anyone whose ideas differ from theirs as an enemy to be feared and not a team member, a holder of a perspective to be debated and compromised into a solid, working solution for whatever problems they may face together. Their yoke is heavy and their burden is sad. It doesn't have to be that way. That yoke is not even real. It only exists in the mind. It is an illusion.
I am a Democrat, but I am not the enemy. That is a lie spoken so many times too many believe it. Far more than being a Democrat, I am an American, and I love this country, and somehow, as hard as it is to understand, I know that most Trump supporters do, too. It is time to let this day be filled with hope and peace. Let's lighten the burden together. Let's "unyoke" from the old leaders, and work together to make the new leaders the best they can be and just throw out the yoke. I'm thinking if you don't own any cows, you just don't need a yoke anymore.
Peace. Love, Linda
