“Come, my beloved, Let us go forth to the field … Let us see if the vine has budded” (Song of Solomon 7:11-12)

Christ is your Yoke-Fellow. Christ IN you makes you “complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight” (Hebrews 13:21). When you consciously cooperate with the Holy Spirit, you’ll say to Christ, “let US go forth to the field”.

Christ gave us the formula for high productivity: “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30). This is true individually and for the Church. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing … By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples” (John 15:5-8).

Some worry that they can’t serve Christ, and still provide for their family. The more likely result of working with Christ is an enlargement of opportunities to abundantly bless their families in many ways. “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory” (Philippians 4:19). He is “able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Ephesians 3:20).

Mary wasn’t praised for sitting still; but for sitting at Jesus' feet. Christians should never neglect necessary duties under the pretense of seeking a deeper relationship with Christ. If you think Christ wants you to ignore your responsibility to your family, seek counsel from a godly minister. Some ministers harm their families with misguided zeal, but don’t think the pursuit of intimacy with Christ is in itself an evil: it’s a great blessing, and a means of grace to all who seek it with prudence.

Those who enjoy Christ the most aren’t recluses, but diligent workers, who toil side-by-side with Christ.