Lead From Wholeness: Trade the Weight, Not the Work

“Come to me, all you 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 is light.” Matthew 11:28–30

What’s up family?

I used to believe the answer to every leadership problem was more effort. During the pandemic, I kept pushing. More meetings. More messages. More late nights. The tank was empty and I still tried to drive on fumes. Years earlier when I tore my patellar tendon, I had to learn to slow down because my body gave me no choice. During the pandemic my soul finally sent the same message. I read Matthew 11 and realized Jesus was not asking me to try harder. He was inviting me to trade yokes.

A yoke is how you pull weight. I was pulling like an ox that did not know it had a partner. I carried expectations Jesus never gave me. I said yes to too much. I confused urgency with faithfulness. When I took Jesus at His word, I began a different rhythm. I came to Him first. I learned from Him next. I carried only what He handed me. The work did not vanish, but the heaviness did.

Here is what that looks like now: I begin my mornings with Scripture before screens. I ask a simple question. Jesus, what yoke are You giving me today? I choose three outcomes that serve people rather than my image. I block space for my wife and kids so I lead my home with the same care I give to ministry and work. I finish the day by asking two questions. Where did I sense Your gentleness. Where did I chase hurry?

This is not soft leadership. It is surrendered leadership. Jesus says His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Easy does not mean effortless. It means well fitted. The right tool for the soul. When I lead from wholeness, I am not proving my value. I am remaining with the One who already gave it. Rest becomes a strategy. Presence sets the pace. Obedience beats overextension every time.

Application

• What burden am I carrying today that Jesus did not assign

• Where will I place two short pauses on my calendar to return to His gentleness

• Which good commitment needs to become a no so I can obey the best

Prayer: Jesus, I bring You my hurry and my proving. Teach me Your gentle and humble heart. Fit Your yoke to my day. Align my plans with Your purpose. Give me wisdom to say yes where You are moving and courage to release what You did not ask me to carry. Let real fruit grow from a rested soul that remains with You. Amen.