“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” (Matthew 11:29).

“Learn of me” means that Christ himself is our great Teacher. And he is a wonderfully patient Teacher. He never chides us for our slowness and dullness in learning. Nor is that all; he helps us with our lessons. Other teachers can do little more than set the lessons for us, and then encourage and inspire us; but our great Teacher can do more. He can give us skill and will even help us; he will do the work for us or with us when the lesson is hard.

One tells of an artist’s pupil who tried his best to paint his picture, but could not do it well. After trying hard, he grew discouraged and weary, and then sank to sleep beside his easel. While he slept, the master came; and seeing the boy sleeping, and knowing he had done his best and was disheartened, he took the brush from his limp hand and completed the picture for him in most beautiful way. That is the way our Teacher does with us. When we have done our best, he takes our poor picture and finishes it for us.

Let no one ever be discouraged in the school of Christ. Let no one ever say he cannot learn the great and hard lessons of Christian life. We never can – alone. We cannot even make one hair of our head black or white ourselves. We cannot give up our jealousy, our envy, our bitterness, and our selfishness, and put sweetness, generosity, kindness, and love in their place; we cannot, alone. But Christ can, and that is the lesson.

We are told that love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, and goodness – the very things it is said we must learn as lessons – are the fruit of the Holy Spirit. That is, the Holy Spirit alone can produce these graces in us. You cannot make yourself loving – it is the Spirit’s work in you. Let the Spirit into your heart, give him charge of your life, and he will produce all these new and beautiful graces in you.

Enter Christ’s school; join his classes; and let him teach you, help you, and transform your life – and then you will grow into his loveliness! Then you can learn his lessons.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and comments on this article! Feel free to leave your reflections and ask your questions below.

God bless you and your family, this day and always.

All for our King’s glory,
Christian

photo by Kristen Law  |  Lightstock.com

This post is another installment of Miller’s Monday Musings, a weekly series that is published every Monday on my website. The series features selected writings that have been adapted from the works of James Russell Miller (1840-1912), a much-beloved Christian author and pastor who is well-remembered for his practical thoughts on Christian home and family life. Learn more about this weekly series by clicking here.