In our journey of life, we primarily labour and are overburdened. We move along life with its many challenges and difficulties. According to Isaiah, like a woman in labour when giving birth, she writhes and cries out in her pangs; so do we writhe as if we were giving birth. Then, as Isaiah says, our souls long for God at night, and our spirits seek God. In my pain, do I long for and seek God? Or do I suffer through it alone? The child that is born gives joy to the mother. Does the experience of longing for and seeking God help me get closer to Him?

Jesus goes further than this. He says we should go to Him, and He will give us rest. He asks us to shoulder His yoke for it is easy and light because He carries the yoke with us. Imagine the double yoke of the cattle - two animals are hitched together by the same yoke pulling the plough.

In our life journey, Jesus and I are pulling together. Jesus walks along with me, shouldering my trials and responsibilities with me and, we're pulling them ahead together. The load is lighter, with Jesus carrying my burden alongside me. Jesus does not take away my trials, but He accompanies me in my trials. This encounter gives me rest because I gain strength from Jesus, who is humble and gentle of heart.