I just finished a huge ministry project.
It was excellent—organized, creative, impactful. I walked away proud of what was accomplished. But in the quiet afterward, I wrestled: Was this the result of my skill and effort? Or was this the Spirit of God moving through me?
That tension is real. Especially for high-capacity people who have gifts, abilities, and drive—and yet also know that apart from God, we can do nothing.
Jesus’ words in Matthew 11 have given me clarity: “Take my yoke upon you…for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
A yoke is a harness for two oxen. The older, stronger ox does the heavy pulling. The younger ox still works, still walks, but clearly benefits from the strength of the greater one.
That’s the picture of our partnership with God. Both are working. But one is doing infinitely more.
This keeps me grounded:
I’m not meant to sit back in passivity and call it “faith.” That’s just laziness in disguise.
I’m not meant to exhaust myself trying to carry everything. That’s pride masquerading as responsibility.
Instead, I step into the beautiful tension. I work hard, because I’m called to. And I give thanks, because He’s carrying more than I ever could. I rejoice in the fruit, but I’m humbled knowing it’s His Spirit that makes it all possible.
I think this is why Paul talks about how he works hard with “all of God’s energy within me.”
That’s the easy yoke.
That’s the partnership of grace and effort.
So how about you? When you finish something you’re proud of, how do you hold the tension between your effort and His Spirit?
You were made for goodness,
Phil