Are You Living In the Rhythms of Grace?

I love the way Eugene Peterson translates Matthew 11:28-30 in the Message translation of the Bible.  

“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.”

Jesus invites us to learn to do life WITH Him in the “unforced rhythms of [His] grace.”

Mr. Asako was one of the hardest working employees at his food processing plant in Japan.  He averaged 16 hour days, seven days a week.  That’s 110 hours per week, my friend.  In a culture that celebrates the hustle, hurry and  being busy, Mr Asako was the model employee.  

I’m certain he lied to himself by saying, “This is just temporary. I’ll get ahead soon. Just a few more years and I’ll meet my goals.”  

Sadly, Mr. Asoka never fulfilled his dreams.  He was found  dead at his desk one day, having died of a heart attack.  He was only 34.

He literally worked himself to death.

God designed our world to function with seasons and cycles.  There is a divine designed rhythm to everything around us.  When we learn to work WITH God we enjoy the blessings and benefits that come with being in sync with those rhythms of grace.  When we chose to work against God, we forfeit those same blessings.

Could it be that you are missing out on immeasurably more in life because you are living outside of the rhythms of grace?  

Here is the good news:  Jesus invites us back into that rhythm.   Do you hear him calling?  Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out?  Come to Jesus and find true rest. Learn to do life WITH him, not FOR him.   

Wow! There is such a big difference between working FOR and working WITH.  One is blessed, the other a burden. 

This Sunday I want to share with you the secret of the sabbath.   I believe it could be one of the most important messages you will hear this year.   

Believing for immeasurably more,

Pastor Daniel