LEARNING THE RHYTHMS OF GRACE
"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 11:28-30, The Message.
These are the words of Christ. Tender, life-giving words spoke over two thousand years ago, yet words that still extend love and grace to every person who is willing to listen. Too many people in this city, in this world, are drowning in the weight of it all, burdened and weak and tired. We live in a culture of baggage. Nearly every person that you pass on the street is carrying a the weight of depression, anger, haunting memories, shame or any other number of hurts. The same is probably true of the person you pass in the mirror. It is true for me.
We have baggage in our lives. On our own, we are never truly free. No matter where we look to solve our problems, we find new burdens overtaking us. It is to poor slaves like us that Jesus speaks these words. He alone holds freedom from the crushing chains that bind us. Spend some time this week meditating upon the way that Jesus lived. Read through the book of Mark or one of the other Gospels. Learn the "unforced rhythms of grace". It is only in the presence of Christ that we learn to live and walk in the path of freedom. It is a long process, letting go of baggage. This is only the begginging, the first step. But take His hand, take that first step. Share your experience of spending time in Christ's presence with others. Share it on this forum if you feel comfortable. Or, let others know that there is hope, tell them your story of a piece of baggage that Jesus has already freed you from.
These are the words of Christ. Tender, life-giving words spoke over two thousand years ago, yet words that still extend love and grace to every person who is willing to listen. Too many people in this city, in this world, are drowning in the weight of it all, burdened and weak and tired. We live in a culture of baggage. Nearly every person that you pass on the street is carrying a the weight of depression, anger, haunting memories, shame or any other number of hurts. The same is probably true of the person you pass in the mirror. It is true for me.
We have baggage in our lives. On our own, we are never truly free. No matter where we look to solve our problems, we find new burdens overtaking us. It is to poor slaves like us that Jesus speaks these words. He alone holds freedom from the crushing chains that bind us. Spend some time this week meditating upon the way that Jesus lived. Read through the book of Mark or one of the other Gospels. Learn the "unforced rhythms of grace". It is only in the presence of Christ that we learn to live and walk in the path of freedom. It is a long process, letting go of baggage. This is only the begginging, the first step. But take His hand, take that first step. Share your experience of spending time in Christ's presence with others. Share it on this forum if you feel comfortable. Or, let others know that there is hope, tell them your story of a piece of baggage that Jesus has already freed you from.
posted by Journey Church at 5:57 p.m.
4 Comments:
I am still learning about this but have seen the effects of it in my life. I used to be crazy about everything being "perfect" to the point that when I sat down at the dinner table with my family, I couldn't eat because i was so worked up about what still had to be done. Since I have started putting my trust in Jesus and studying the Bible, I have noticed a huge change in my attitude towards family life and my role in it, definitely for the better....and far from perfect.
-Danielle
My prayer this week - and probably for a while after that - is for restoration...restoration of all things lost. We were talking at music practice a couple weeks ago about baggage and how it's the thing that keeps us from meeting our potential and fully running the race that Paul talks about in Phillippians. I've been thinking about that a lot lately...and praying that we will find the freedom we need from the burdens and baggage we carry so that we can run with new energy and freedom, moving ahead as a community. He doesn't put anything heavy or painful on us and it pains him to see us do it to ourselves. "Come unto me all who are weary." Amen!
I've had strep this week. It's been no fun. Packed lunches have been made, the kids have been taken back and forth to school, meals have been on the table, bills have been paid etc etc. I've functioned - you could say I've functioned well. But it's been lack-lustre, without zeal, with no enthusiasm and no joy when what I'd really like to do is remove myself emotionally and physically from my activities and lay my head down.
How I feel from this bacteria, that crept into my system is exactly how I feel when my burdens are weighing me down and I'm not turning to God to help with the load. When I don't look up to the Father, life becomes a drag - I get done what needs to be done but the joy and enthusiam isn't there. I'm not living the abundant and passionate life that I know that God meant for me. I don't know about you but I find the knowledge that I'm not living the way God wants me to live, one of the biggest burdens of them all.
The good news is that there is hope; just as I have faith that the antibiotics will kick in soon and the weariness will leave my body - I have faith that the Great Physician can and will heal the wounds and fade the scars that this world have given me.
I love this quote:
"The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places." Ernest Heminway.
My prayer for all of you over this series is that you have the strength and courage to hand God all the broken pieces of your life and that He will put them back together and will make you strong indeed in the broken places.
Nothing much to add. I just wanted to say thanks for your thoughts, ladies (that includes you, Chris - snicker, snicker). I was encouraged by what you shared. See you Sunday!
Malcolm
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