DONKEYS AND OXEN
Today's reading:  Deuteronomy 20-22

"Do not plow with an ox and a donkey harnessed together."  Deuteronomy 22:10 NLT

My Dad used to raise donkeys, so I am acquainted with their size, demeanor and abilities.  They are quirky little beasts of burden.

I have stood beside a team of oxen (at an 1820's re-enactment settlement).  I don't know much about them other than they towered over my head.  Their faces were eye-level with mine.  They looked strong and capable. They were a bit intimidating.

I can understand, upon my experience, why God would tell us not to work the two together.  It just wouldn't go well.  It wouldn't look good.  It wouldn't utilize either animal's potential.  It would probably cause more harm than good.

I can see the ox doing all the work and the donkey being dragged along beside him.  I can see the donkey sweating his long ears off attempting to keep up with the ox, even when the ox is in low gear.  I can see how sloppily the harnesses would fit.  I can imagine the crooked rows the plow would make as the two unequally yoked beasts dragged it across the field.

You're probably not going out to harness up your team to begin your day's work.  The idea of working with anything less than a computer, a gas-powered vehicle or some type of automation is laughable.  You may believe this tidbit of information is a little outdated--well, it would be if not for one more bit of experience I have under my belt (quite possibly under yours, too) that may bring it all into focus for you...

I have attempted to 'hitch' my ideas alongside God's plans, tweaking where I believed it was required, adjusting where what He asked was too hard or too uncomfortable, attempting to take over where I thought He was moving too slowly or not at all, I've tried to do God's work and left mine undone--and it never worked!

It was an awkward team we made, to say the least.  Nothing went well.  Not a lot (of good) got done.  No one, including myself, was pleased with the work.  In the end, I was worn out, deflated and ashamed of my work.  God was not entertained by my attempts to do His job or my lack of attempting to do more than He asked of me.

It's most certainly a lesson to be learned from.  One He's been telling for years and years in His Good Book.