WALKING IN RHYTHM – Part Two
Last week I wrote about the importance of rhythm – in music and in life – and said that I’d be spending the next few weeks writing about the rhythms of our lives. Or rather, the importance of our lives having a rhythm as opposed to our lives sounding like the music Animal makes on Sesame Street. Prolonged instrumental chaos is typically not good for the soul.
There is this great verse in the gospel of Matthew (cpt 11 vs 28-30), and my favorite translation of it is in The Message. Jesus is speaking to the crowds…“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.”
I don’t know about you, but unforced rhythms of grace seem……lovely, exactly what i need at this very moment (and beyond), a gift….
I also confess that it is not religion that I’m most likely to be burned out on. It is most likely the way I have over-extended myself or planned my time poorly. again. (is it just me?)
If you can relate, the good news is that I think Jesus wants us to learn the unforced rhythms of grace no matter what we are burned out on — or in danger of being burned out on — or just overwhelmed with. Jesus is speaking here to those whose religious leaders were placing unnecessary legalistic burdens on them, but Jesus defeated all sin and even death itself, so certainly Jesus can handle my……what can we call it…
difficulty in prioritizing?
Some may also know it as the inability to say ‘no’, putting others needs ahead of my own basic needs, or ineffective (or inappropriate) time boundaries. The key to making that happen, I think, is that part where he says “keep company with me and learn from me…”
Which also may require:
A shift in prioritizing, saying ‘no’, putting my need for rest and time with Jesus first setting boundaries with our time.
True. That does sound like work. But another piece of good news is that God has a plan for how to make that happen. (isn’t that just like God?) I’ll be writing about that next week, and I’ll meet you right back here next Friday.❤