Bind Your Donkey to the Vine

It's that time of the year again... finals week! Though I would have to admit that I'm naturally a very anxious person, especially when it comes to classes and school work, I've been seeing more and more that there is no possible circumstance or situation where we are not able to enjoy and rest in the Lord.

too bad learning through osmosis isn't effective

Yesterday, the ones that help with the Bible study I attended this semester with Christians on Campus had a supply station for the students. Not only did they supply us with study snacks and treats, but they also supplied us with much more than physical nourishment. There was a short reading on "Ceasing from Labor and Resting in the Enjoyment of Christ's Life." How timely was that for me!

Binding his foal to the vine, and his donkey's colt to the choice vine, he washes his garment in wine, and his robe in the blood of grapes."

Genesis 49:11 

a donkey bound implies the reaching of its destination

In the Bible, a donkey signifies taking a journey towards a certain goal or destination. So the binding of the foal, or tying of the donkey, indicates that the journey is over and that you have reached your goal. Does is seem like most people in the world today have reached their destination or goal? Not from what I can tell. Most people in the world are traveling donkeys, still laboring and striving for a goal or destination.

As Christians, what is our goal? What is our destination? 

Our goal is the vine, and the vine is Christ! (John 15:1, 5)

Christ as our vine is our goal!

To bind our donkey to the vine means to cease our labor or doing, and rest in Christ! Christ has already accomplished everything and won the victory! There is no need for us to strive or labor! All such endeavoring is in vain. We are already in Christ!

So what does this mean for me? I'm still a student who has to take finals and make good grades in my classes. Well, what has been encouraging me is enjoying Christ in any situation. Whether it means asking the Lord to be my study buddy, or taking quick study breaks to read the Bible or other encouraging blog posts or even getting together with other believers to study, it's making all of the difference. 

"Come to Me all who toil and are burdened, and I will give you rest."

Matthew 11:28

When we come to the Lord in prayer, in His word, or with the other members of His Body, He is faithful to give us rest. 

resting in Christ is our true rest :)