30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:30 (NIV)
Maybe you have read this verse before and it has been an inspiration to you, I know that’s true for me. I was recently at the men’s group I am part of, and one of the guys, Rick, shared this bible verse but he read it from the message and it really impacted me in a new way.
The subheading here is ‘the unforced rhythms of grace.’
28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:30 The Message
I absolutely love the way this is worded, the idea of these ‘unforced rhythms of grace’ in our lives is something a bit unique when it comes to faith.
I don’t know about you but the world around us runs at an alarming rate, pressure, pace, movement, seal the deal, buy it now, next day delivery, go go go. We can see this at work, in our home lives, on TV and it’s only when we go on holiday that we get off the treadmill, and very often get ill because we are exhausted and then need another holiday to get over the fallout.
Life also seems to be about encouraging us to fight against aging, fight against getting old and make this life last forever. Anti-aging, stay younger, hide the wrinkles, colour the grey, be young and live in the slip stream of all that life has for you now!
And pause, take a nice, slow, deep breathe, exhale……
I think the rhythm of grace Jesus offers has overcome the world and it’s breakneck pace. A mate of mine reflected on life recently like a train, he is in the engine room shovelling coal, he can’t stop shovelling coal and like thousands of men we feel like our lives and family depend on us shovelling coal until we drop dead in front of the trains furnace. Job done.
Jesus seems to find a way into this rhythm, and he puts the brakes on. He schedules a stop for the train that even with you shovelling coal like mad can’t change. Jesus doesn’t force ill-fitting rhythms onto us, or burdens that mean we dissolve under their weight. The bible tells us that what Jesus provides is right for us and we can learn to live light and free!
So my question to you today is, are you tired and worn out? Then spend some time with Jesus, find a place, a time and get yourself alone with Him. Speak to him and start to listen to the unforced rhythms of grace. It is ok to put the shovel down and step away from the trains furnace!
Image Credit: Matej Rieciciar
